Background checking...Driving convictions

[Rico76]

Hi Guys,

 

I’m hoping you can help me or give me some advice on a situation that has come back to haunt me.

 

Background

I’ve been temping at a company for the past 7 months. I really like this company and my role. I have been temping for the past 5+ years, where I’ve worked at 3 different companies. Most of them have been long term roles and I have left due to me not being happy, through boredom or lack of career progression.

 

The group that I’m currently in has a lot of staffing problems, i.e. people leaving, not being to find the right people in the market etc. My boss asked me to go permanent about 5 months ago, and I declined asking for more time to think about it as I was doing crazy hours and coming at the weekends.

 

The company has now hired 3 more people and I can see that my hours will come down and I will get my work life balance back again.

To get to the point, I had a meeting with Human Resources (HR) and said that I would like to take the role. My bosses’ boss (let’s call him Mike) told me that the HR representative was not going to give me the role, as I was not fully qualified (I only have a diploma in accounting and not the full equivalent CPA accreditation). He had to get his boss and another boss to sign off on taking me on. I’m a model employee and have given 100% in my role and get on with other members of staff. I am liked and my opinion is respected.

 

My company has a limitation on the amount of time that temporary workers can work in the company and mine is next week.

 

Current Situation

6 years ago, I didn’t renew the insurance on my car and was stopped. I didn’t get a ban and only a nominal fine, as I had a mitigating circumstance (I was in therapy at the time and was going through a really rough period). I have been asked to provide details of this, for the regulatory body that governs the industry that I'm in. This may or may not be looked into, but could come back to haunt me if I move into a senior management role. This is not a conviction and didn’t result in a criminal record.

 

About 1.5 years later, I got done for drink driving. (read: criminal record) 4.5 years ago and I have been asked to provide a basic disclosure, meaning that I need to disclose any unspent convictions. In my particular case, my conviction will become ‘spent’ after 5 years, which is in May-07.

 

These have been the ONLY times in my life that I have been in trouble with the law. I have come up with a couple of options to deal with this.

 

Expose Myself

+ve:

1. I know where I stand. They take my honesty in to account and give me the job
   
2. I’m in a good place. I have the backing of senior management
   
3. Likely possibility of moving into a managerial/ decision making role… As long as I complete my professional exams, which they will fully sponsor and support me.
   
4. Out of all the roles I’ve had in the past 5 years, this is the one that has the most potential and suits me perfectly

-ve:

1. I won’t get the job
   
2. A couple of senior managers have really fought for my corner, especially with this individual in HR. There is a high probability of this being the straw that broke the camels back.
   
3. They might say something to my agency, i.e. sort out your vetting procedures. Opportunity to get other roles would disappear; especially They have also been very good at getting me temp roles. This didn’t happen with any of the other agencies

I would have to leave, knowing that that my name would be out there. The industry that I work in is very incestuous and I would have trouble finding similar roles

 

Leave

+ve:

• Reputation still intact. Will be free from disclosing, especially come May-07

-ve:

• Possible loss of earnings for up to 6-8 weeks. Same place I was before, i.e. temping

Should I talk with Mike tomorrow morning? Shall I just leave it with HR.?

Any advice would be appreciated?

[suegail]

I think I would go ahead and explain the situation - if you had to make a decision today this post isn't going to help much, but thought I'd put my two cents in anyway just in case. I really hope it all works out for you. It sounds as if you've proven yourself as an excellent employee. Everyone makes mistakes...hopefully they would realize that and appreciate your honesty (if you do decide to approach them on the subject) that would be my advice..

[Rico76]

Thanks for the reply Suegail!

 

I spoke to him today and he had a word with his HR contact. All applications go to a committee and that's all she would say really.

 

Other than that, I was told to be honest and disclose what was required on the form.

 

I'm not out the woods yet, however I can at least sleep a bit more peacefully at night... A weight lifted off my shoulders, for now at least.

[littlekitty]

I think honesty was the best policy regardless. Unfortunately the stupid actions of our youth can many times come back to haunt our adult life.

 

But you can't tell someone that....!!