I have a misdemeanor and cannot get a job because of it
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I have a misdemeanor and cannot get a job because of it
I have a class one misdemeanor on my background, and have been turned down by an innumerable amount of employers and have had job offers revoked due to the misdemeanor. I saw on your forum that some legal advisors showed skepticism that a misdemeanor could prevent someone from finding a job…any job as I see other people have posted this same problem ..but it is in fact true. I have a paralegal degree, Customer service experience and a B.A. degree in administration, and it looks like I will never work at least for the next 7 years until this is expunged. It seems so unfair, I put in over 30 applications every day in all surrounding counties and I get offers but once the background check returns, the offers are revoked. I have already had to surrender my car, and now will be losing my double wide mobile home and will become homeless. I need legal representation, I am confused on how felons, convicted rapists and murders can return to the work field but I will not be able to work for seven years due to a misdemeanor….Please help.
Asked on November 14, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
It's not that a misdemeanor automatically prevents or preludes you from having a job, but the law does not prevent "discrimination" in hiring or employment due to a criminal conviction, background, or record. Employers are allowed to choose to not hire someone because of a criminal record, and there is no way to force employers to hire you if they don't want to for this reason.
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