If you have a criminal record or are facing a criminal conviction, you might be wondering whether it will be possible for you to get a job and enjoy a fulfilling career now or in the future. Don’t panic: the answer is yes.
People get criminal records for all kinds of reasons, and it is not our place to judge you. In fact, over 11 million people (that’s around 16% of the UK’s population) have one, so you’re far from alone if you are in this position.
Read on to learn how your criminal record might impact your job search and what you need to know as you enter the world of work.
What Are Spent and Unspent Convictions?
It is in everyone’s interests for people who have committed crimes to be able to move on with their lives after a reasonable amount of time has passed. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA) states that most convictions (as well as all final warnings, reprimands and cautions) must be classed as “spent” after a certain amount of time. This is referred to as the “rehabilitation period.”
The rehabilitation period depends on the crime you were convicted of and the sentence or punishment you received. For young people who were under the age of 18 when they committed their offence, the rehabilitation period is typically shorter than for adults. Check the government’s rehabilitation period table to work out what yours is.
Once a conviction is “spent”, it will no longer appear on Basic Disclosures and Barring Service (DBS) checks and does not legally have to be disclosed to a potential employer. As a general rule, employers are not allowed to discriminate on the basis of spent convictions, though there are exceptions (read more about this in the next section.)
Some offences are never “spent”. This includes public protection sentences. It used to include any conviction resulting in a prison sentence of 4 years or more, but there is now an opportunity to no longer disclose sentences that have already been spent (make sure you check whether your sentence would be spent before disclosing). Similarly, some offences will always show up on a DBS check, no matter how much time has passed. These include only the most serious of crimes (including violent, sexual, and terrorism-related offences) and the full list is provided on the government’s website.
If you have any questions about your specific circumstances, we recommend consulting Citizens’ Advice, a qualified employment lawyer, or an organisation dedicated to supporting ex-offenders into work such as Working Chance or Bounce Back.
What Jobs Are Exempt from the ROA?
Many people do not know that there are three levels of DBS checks. A Basic DBS check can be requested for any role and will only show unspent convictions. A Standard check is used for jobs that are considered “professionally regulated”, which includes jobs like law, accountancy, and dentistry, and will show both unspent and spent convictions. Finally, an Enhanced check is used for jobs that involve working with children or vulnerable adults. This will show both spent and unspent convictions as well as any other relevant information held by police.
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975), only certain jobs are allowed to request Standard or Enhanced checks. Some jobs that can request Standard checks include many roles in the finance, law, security, and veterinary fields. Some jobs that can request Enhanced checks include teaching, social work, youth work, psychology and psychotherapy, medicine, religious ministry, and certain roles in the Military, Navy, and Air Force.
It is important to remember that simply having a conviction appear on a DBS check at any level does not inherently bar you from the job, though in some circumstances it might. In the next section we will look at some examples of these circumstances.
Can You Be Refused a Job Because of a Criminal Record?
Certain types of criminal records can preclude you from doing certain types of jobs. For example, any violent or sexual offence will mean you cannot work with children or vulnerable adults. This will mean that you cannot work in jobs such as doctor, nurse, teacher, or social worker. Financial crimes such as fraud or theft might mean you cannot work in a position of trust involving money.
Looking for work with a criminal record is often a matter of specific circumstances rather than all-encompassing rules.
Can You Work for the NHS with a Criminal Record?
A criminal record does not prevent you from working for the NHS, but certain types of convictions might. It will depend on the nature of the offence, how long ago it was, its relevance to the job, and any other details you provide around your particular circumstances.
Some crimes, particularly violent or sexual offences, will bar you from working in roles where you would have access to patients.
Can You Work for a Bank with a Criminal Record?
Many jobs at banks and other financial institutions only require Basic DBS checks, meaning that spent convictions shouldn’t impact your job search.
For roles regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, which includes anything involving selling or advising on financial products such as pensions and life insurance policies, a Standard check will be required. Depending on the nature of your offence and the other details you provide, having a criminal record may or may not bar you from holding one of these roles.
When to Disclose Your Criminal Record
You should assume that, if you have an unspent conviction, your employer will find out about it at the point of making you a job offer or once you have been hired.
If you are asked, you must legally disclose any unspent convictions. If the employer does not ask, you are not usually required to disclose your record. The vast majority will ask at some point, though, so be prepared for this. You might also choose to disclose a conviction voluntarily in the spirit of honesty, but this is completely up to you.
Many jobs now use digital application forms as part of the hiring process. These usually include a question about any unspent convictions, where you should disclose your record and provide any details that are requested.
Ironically, trying to hide your conviction may be a deal-breaker for the employer even if the actual offence would not have been. Being honest and upfront shows that you have integrity and can be trusted, while attempting to hide your criminal record can make you look sneaky and untrustworthy.
Hiding a conviction that you need to disclose could lead to an offer of employment being pulled or even to you being fired later on, if you are found out.
Talking About Your Criminal Record
If an employer thinks you are a strong applicant but learns that you have a criminal record, they might want to talk to you about it to learn more and make an informed decision based on your unique circumstances. In this situation, your best bet is to be straightforward and honest.
It is important not to make excuses for the things you did in the past, but adding context and taking responsibility can go a long way. You can also reassure the employer that you have learned from your mistakes, taking steps to rehabilitate yourself and turn things around. This will show them that you’re not a risk of becoming a repeat offender.
You can explain your situation in whatever way makes sense for you, but beginning with wording like this might help you:
“I made a big mistake a few years ago, and being found guilty was a wake-up call to turn my life around. I now accept full responsibility for what I did, and I’ve taken steps to make sure nothing like that ever happens again, such as… [fill in the blanks.]”
If you do not believe that the offence is relevant to the job, you can also politely say so. For example, a conviction for shoplifting several years ago is unlikely to impact your ability to work in food service now.
What Careers Can You Do With a Criminal Record?
The good news is that you can still do a lot of jobs with a criminal record, and plenty of ex-offenders go on to have rewarding and fulfilling careers in all kinds of industries.
Just a few of the industries and career types you can work in with a criminal record include:
- Retail
- Hospitality and catering
- Construction
- Engineering
- IT and digital (e.g. software development, web design, and technical support)
- Trades jobs (e.g. electrician, plumber, carpenter, etc.)
- Creative careers like media and entertainment
- Business administration
- Hair and beauty
- Travel and logistics (e.g. transport manager, station work, warehouse worker, delivery driver)
- Research and academia (in most fields)
- Environmental careers and animal care
- Some military roles
- …and many more!
Examples of Companies That Hire Ex-Offenders
Some companies are leading the way in hiring those with criminal records. Here are just a few you might want to consider:
Timpsons
This high street cobbler and key cutting company is famed for its progressive hiring and people management practices. Since CEO James Timpson met and subsequently employed an ex-offender named Matt in 2002 (who is now a successful branch manager), Timpsons has championed giving people a second chance. Around 10% of its employees have criminal convictions.
Virgin Group
In 2011, Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson called on companies to employ people with criminal convictions, believing that this would significantly cut people’s risk of reoffending. Virgin Trains initially hired 12 people with convictions in 2014 and subsequently held jobs fairs in prisons to support former offenders into work on their release.
Greggs
In 2022, bakery chain Greggs made headlines for pledging to employ ex-offenders “as soon as they walk through the prison gate.” The company started working with people with criminal records in 2010 after supporting women in prison with employability skills workshops and later offering some of these women jobs.
Halfords
Motoring and cycling retailer Halfords runs academies in both male and female prisons, training inmates on skills such as bicycle repairs and customer service. Those who complete the course then have the opportunity to gain employment with Halfords on their release.
Tesco
As one of the UK’s main supermarket chains, Tesco employs over 350,000 people worldwide. The company’s inclusive recruitment policy and work with the prison service makes them one of the country’s leading employers of those with criminal records in jobs both on and off the shop floor.
Go For It
If you have a criminal record and are ready to put your past behind you and pursue a career, we applaud you. Remember that, while some employers may choose to overlook those with a criminal record, many more are far more interested in your future potential than your past mistakes.
Armed with the facts and a good understanding of your rights and responsibilities, all you need to do is go out and apply for the job. Thousands of people with criminal records find meaningful work every year, and there is no reason you shouldn’t be one of them.
