Professional planning for people with criminal convictions. Employment %26 Training Administration (U.S. UU.) Every day, hundreds (if not thousands) of Americans get jobs without background checks. Obviously, that's good news if you've ever been arrested or served time in prison.
In fact, small businesses are much less likely to check if you have a criminal record than larger businesses. In addition, in many occupations, it's possible to build a good career working from home or working on your own (which normally means that no background check is required). Check with your state or local Fair Employment Practices Agency to see if there are state or local laws regarding the application or consideration of criminal records in employment decisions. The Federal Bail Bond Program can cover the first six months of employment at no cost to the job applicant or employer.
If you believe that an employer has unlawfully discriminated against you, file a discrimination complaint with the EEOC or with the state or local Fair Employment Practices Agency in your area. An employer that denies all employment opportunities to all convicted persons is likely to be committing discrimination. This website contains resources for job seekers and employees with a history of arrests or convictions, and for employers who are considering hiring them. The employer can then decide if the conduct is a reason not to hire them or to make another employment decision.
You can find additional help through the National Reentry Resource Center, which provides a directory of resources in each state.
