While working to take your career to the next level, an encounter with Texas law enforcement ended in a felony charge. How should you navigate questions on applications related to a felony conviction?
Chron explains employment laws and regulations related to felony charges. Understand your rights and how to approach questions on applications and in interviews.
Forbidden positions
Familiarize yourself with positions forbidden to those with a felony conviction, so you do not waste time or energy pursuing them. For example, you likely cannot work in health care, insurance, banking or real estate at the federal or state level. If you desire a career that requires a professional license, your conviction may bar you from attaining one. If you feel determined to pursue a prohibited position, look into receiving a pardon at the state or federal level.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The EEOC establishes federal job discrimination laws. Specifically, companies cannot turn down job applicants with criminal convictions if the conviction does not relate to the desired position. For instance, if you received a felony charge for assault, you could still qualify for a truck driving position.
Time since the conviction
Employers may also consider when applicants received a felony conviction when deciding whether to hire them. In some states, applicants do not have to share convictions on an application if the conviction happened a specific number of years before the person applied for a job. Companies may not view a conviction that happened several years ago as heavily as they would a recent conviction.
Your felony charge need not stop your career in its tracks. By educating yourself on the matter, you may improve your chances of landing the right position.