Question:

I recently received a job offer that is tentative pending a background check. Two years ago I was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence but the charges were dropped. There was no place to list arrests on the application, so I didn't include any information on the arrest. Should I be worried?

First Answer:

Whether or not you should be worried depends on a couple of things. First, the fact that you didn't mention your prior arrest on your application is okay, since there was not a question about a criminal background. Secondly, it is clearly in your favor that the charges were dropped. Finally, depending on the state you live in, it is possible that the charges won't even show up, since they were dropped.

If they do show up, however, they might prevent you from getting hired. If you are trying to get employment in the Social Services, and would be working with children (for example), you will doubtfully get hired. You probably won't even make it to the next interview.

On the other hand, if the job offer is for a position that is unrelated to the care of others, such as sales or banking, you will probably be given a good chance to explain yourself. This is your chance to minimize the situation as much as you can. Employers do not want to risk getting sued by other employees if they fear you will "lose it" on their other workers when they knowingly hired someone with a supposed history of violence.

Finally, in some states (such as Illinois), there are certain companies that actually encourage "criminals" or ex-felons to apply. (These are usually companies that hire cashiers, etc.) The reason being is that they receive a nice tax break for doing so.

So, you should be worried, but not discouraged.

-- Pamela La Gioia, home-based employment expert and owner of Mommy's Place.NET

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