Applying for Jobs with a Criminal Record: Know Your Rights
Employment Law Myths You May Have Heard
Michelle Garrett
Holding a meaningful job or career is one of the most rewarding ways of earning a living, but it is an unfortunate fact of life that your rights as an employee can be violated by overly aggressive or neglectful management. The legal system affords workers the right to pursue their employers for unfair or abusive labor practice. Yet, many people have never had to hire an employment attorney before, and they may assume a couple of myths about these cases:
Myth: You Can Be Fired For Any Reason
It is common knowledge that employers have wide discretion in hiring and firing employees. However, it should be noted that employers do not have unlimited power when it comes to terminating employees. In fact, there are many reasons that can not be legally accepted causes for dismissing an employee. For example, a company can not discriminate against employees due to their religious beliefs, sexual orientation or gender.
When a company oversteps its bounds and dismisses employees for these reasons, it is possible to pursue the matter before a court of law. If the court sides with you in the matter, you can be entitled to financial compensation, reinstatement of your job, or a host of other penalties for the employer.
Myth: Employment Lawyers Are Too Expensive To Hire
There are many people that will face discrimination in the workplace, but they will not seek the services of an experienced attorney to combat these issues. This stems from the belief that an employment attorney would be far too expensive to hire. This does not have to be the case, and it is possible for anyone to find an employment attorney they can afford.
Most of the professionals work on a performance basis. As a result, you will not be required to pay any fees to these individuals unless they are able to collect monetary damages on your behalf. Generally, these fees will be taken out of the final settlement or verdict, and the remaining balance will be signed over to you. This type of payment structure makes it possible for even the poorest individuals to have the representation they need to defend their rights.
Being dismissed from a job or career can be a financially devastating event. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for some business to dismiss employees for illegal reasons. When this happens, it is important to seek experienced legal representation to defend your rights. After learning the truth behind these two common employment law myths, you will have a more thorough understanding of your rights and options.
For more help, try contacting a company like Michael Terrence Conway & Co with any questions you have.
Share
I'll be up front: I have a criminal record. As someone who's spent lots--and lots--of time looking for a job in my life, I've gotten used to being up front with this fact. It's difficult to get hired with this on my record, and frankly, it never gets less scary to have to tell an interviewer about it. But that doesn't mean I'm unemployable. I'm a hard worker who can bring a lot to any company. And I also know what an employer needs to do for me. I know my rights. There's no federal law protecting me from discrimination due to my record, but there are plenty of state laws that make it a little easier for me. If you're looking for a job and you have a criminal record, read through this information. Protect yourself during a job search. Know your rights.