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Hi, I've been far less active on the forum since my Husband returned home and we've been trying hard to move forward but disclosure is a constant barrier. Has anyone's person been successful in securing employment following conviction? Obtaining interviews hasn't been an issue for my Husband and he's had numerous offers following interview but disclosure appears to be unavoidable, it pops up at some point in the process and once disclosed offers of employment are subsequently withdrawn. It's soul destroying. x
Life x
I dont have much advise but could not read you post and not comment x
It must be really difficult for you both , he will find something it just may take a little time so please try not to let it get you both down, easier said than done I know, you have come this far and that's a huge achievement, xx
I dont have much advise but could not read you post and not comment x
It must be really difficult for you both , he will find something it just may take a little time so please try not to let it get you both down, easier said than done I know, you have come this far and that's a huge achievement, xx
So sorry to hear your person is struggling to find something. Have they tried something outside their usual roles that might be less strict on the disclosures? Hopefully someone will be able to advise of some good suggestions.
Hi Life,
Finding a job hasn't been straight forward for my son. After many rejections he eventualy got offered a job only to lose it in the first week when his employers found out about his conviction.
His probation officer advised him to take anything he could get so that he was in employment whilst looking for other jobs so he applied for a zero hours minimum wage job. The job asked him on his application form if he had any convictions and despite ticking yes it wasn't mentioned in interview and has never be mentioned since. He has now worked there for 4 months.
He appears to have lost his confidence in job hunting at the moment and is content to work in the job he has but when he feels ready to start again he will hopefully have good references to offer a future employer.
I wish your person all the best in his job hunting.
Finding a job hasn't been straight forward for my son. After many rejections he eventualy got offered a job only to lose it in the first week when his employers found out about his conviction.
His probation officer advised him to take anything he could get so that he was in employment whilst looking for other jobs so he applied for a zero hours minimum wage job. The job asked him on his application form if he had any convictions and despite ticking yes it wasn't mentioned in interview and has never be mentioned since. He has now worked there for 4 months.
He appears to have lost his confidence in job hunting at the moment and is content to work in the job he has but when he feels ready to start again he will hopefully have good references to offer a future employer.
I wish your person all the best in his job hunting.
My partner did get a role after conviction in engineering as he has a degree. He took did experience an interview when they asked and they subsequently terminated the interview when he disclosed.
I really wish companies were obligated to state when in the process they ask, and if at all. My partner works for a small company but he is hoping to move on on the next few years. I feel like he was lucky, and that now alot of companies ask or require DBS checks when the role doesn't really imply it is needed.
My partner had a job at conviction but didn't need to disclose. Was asked to do a DBs for a project and he declined, they never asked why.
It is tough, bit not impossible. What jobs and company types are they going for? I feel smaller companies may be the best bet
I really wish companies were obligated to state when in the process they ask, and if at all. My partner works for a small company but he is hoping to move on on the next few years. I feel like he was lucky, and that now alot of companies ask or require DBS checks when the role doesn't really imply it is needed.
My partner had a job at conviction but didn't need to disclose. Was asked to do a DBs for a project and he declined, they never asked why.
It is tough, bit not impossible. What jobs and company types are they going for? I feel smaller companies may be the best bet
My person has gone down the self employed route. He was dismissed from his job 3 months after arrest. He didn't work for about another 6 months He's enjoying getting out and about. We're still at investigation stage so no charges yet. It's something he'll be able to continue to do after the outcome if any charges though so that's a relief for him. Wishing your OH luck xx
Thank you for your replies. He is unable to return to a role in which he previously worked due to the nature of his job and is looking at anything and everything. I'm stunned how many companies want disclosure when it has absolutely no relevance to the role. It's not the barrier of DBS as he won't apply for jobs requiring this, it's the question of spent or unspent convictions. It's consistent. Even recruitment agencies want to know and once the box is ticked they're never heard from again. He applied for a sales role, had a long phone interview and was subsequently invited to a formal interview. They loved him and offered him the job, gave him a start date, ordered his uniform and sent over his contract. It was at this point the 'question' was asked. Once disclosed the offer was withdrawn.
Companies are missing out on such a huge pool of talent through ignorance and bias. Thank goodness he has resilience, though I'm unsure how long you can keep getting slapped in the face before you stop trying. The punishment continues way beyond the sentence.
We've discussed the situation this morning and said that moving forward if he needs to disclose that he has an unspent conviction this is time to withdraw and walk away. To constantly have to disclose what for to complete strangers and feel the shame over and over again is too much x
Companies are missing out on such a huge pool of talent through ignorance and bias. Thank goodness he has resilience, though I'm unsure how long you can keep getting slapped in the face before you stop trying. The punishment continues way beyond the sentence.
We've discussed the situation this morning and said that moving forward if he needs to disclose that he has an unspent conviction this is time to withdraw and walk away. To constantly have to disclose what for to complete strangers and feel the shame over and over again is too much x
I completely agree with every word you have said here.
My son had a good job which he had been able to work in whilst ROI but following sentencing he was forced by the Visor to either disclose or resign and given less an hour in which to make the decision before the Visor went in to his place of employment.
He chose to resign but the Visor still insisted on going in and made a disclosure to a duty manager rather than the HR manager which is a clear breach of confidentiality and could have put all of us at risk of retaliation.
The job concerned did not involve any unsupervised contact with children whatsoever and was in a public space.
He had exactly the same experience when applying for other jobs in that he would get an interview and be offered the job and then the question would be asked and the offer immediately withdrawn.
He has now found work in a supermarket on night shifts which is not ideal but as he says it is a job and it means he doesn't have to disclose again and again.
This is so unfair -when people are genuinely trying to get their lives back on track to deprive them of employment surely contributes to low self esteem and might make reoffending more likely.
Unless it is a job which actually involves contact with children or vulnerable adults then why is a DBS necessary? and also if someone is able to work up until sentencing then why are they suddenly perceived as being a risk immediately afterwards?
Rant over now
My son had a good job which he had been able to work in whilst ROI but following sentencing he was forced by the Visor to either disclose or resign and given less an hour in which to make the decision before the Visor went in to his place of employment.
He chose to resign but the Visor still insisted on going in and made a disclosure to a duty manager rather than the HR manager which is a clear breach of confidentiality and could have put all of us at risk of retaliation.
The job concerned did not involve any unsupervised contact with children whatsoever and was in a public space.
He had exactly the same experience when applying for other jobs in that he would get an interview and be offered the job and then the question would be asked and the offer immediately withdrawn.
He has now found work in a supermarket on night shifts which is not ideal but as he says it is a job and it means he doesn't have to disclose again and again.
This is so unfair -when people are genuinely trying to get their lives back on track to deprive them of employment surely contributes to low self esteem and might make reoffending more likely.
Unless it is a job which actually involves contact with children or vulnerable adults then why is a DBS necessary? and also if someone is able to work up until sentencing then why are they suddenly perceived as being a risk immediately afterwards?
Rant over now
Life, I've just remembered that there is a champaagn called Ban the Box which was put in place to help increase opportunities for people with convictions gaining employment. 130 employers have now signed up to ban the box and you can find the list of employers on the unlock website https://unlock.org.uk/project/ban-the-box/