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Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders

bahh — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:55:37 GMT

What the corporate mothership says and what HR/Hiring decision makers do.......frequently different things. So much spin. I spent years in corporates (inc some central and local government).....never EVER again. So many people more sickening than many of the politicians. Many more honest people, and with integrity, I met in prison.

Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders

Peterf — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:55:37 GMT

An interesting list, but I would dispute the inclusion of Virgin Group. I worked for what is now Virgin Media. They quickly dismissed me once I was convicted and told me to never darken their door again. Never mind that I had 21 years of unblemished service.

Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders

DekaRed — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:55:37 GMT

I knew about a few of these, as I was signed up to Prison Superstars, shortly before being released, this is with the EFFRR (Employers Forum For Reducing Reoffending) and they are connected with Pertemps agency. Thanks for the other information, it's sure to come in handy.

Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders

Cutehs2 — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:55:37 GMT

My experience is within the social care sector; the list below, are with the companies that i have successfully obtained employment with since my conviction. I've always written an accompanying statement explaining the circumstances behind the conviction, what i've learnt, what i've done since the conviction, goals for the future etc when submitting applications for employment.

Affinity Trust
Midland Heart
Sandwell Council
Dudley Council
Accord Housing
stchris.org.uk
Care UK
Voyage Care
JPS Housing
YMCA

Currently studying mental health nursing :)

Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders

AW83 — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:55:37 GMT

aim said...
From another post Stig quoted M&S "The main issues are around unspent convictions. If a young person has an unspent conviction they will need to be willing to declare this. ... M&S Head office will decide whether the placement can
go ahead or not you will be notified of their response."

There is a move to prevent standard or enhanced checks being asked for illegally and also SARs. See this ico.org.uk/news/blog/2014/Key-battle-won-in-war-against-forced-subject-access-request

Nice find aim what they need to do is go after the big boys and make a few headlines that should hopefully put off the rest then nothing says dont do it like a six figure fine.

Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders

modelcitizen — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:55:37 GMT

Social Services.

Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders

aim — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:55:37 GMT

From another post Stig quoted M&S "The main issues are around unspent convictions. If a young person has an unspent conviction they will need to be willing to declare this. ... M&S Head office will decide whether the placement can
go ahead or not you will be notified of their response."

There is a move to prevent standard or enhanced checks being asked for illegally and also SARs. See this ico.org.uk/news/blog/2014/Key-battle-won-in-war-against-forced-subject-access-request

Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders

Mirrorman — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:55:37 GMT

They would not have employed him anyway if he did disclose.

It's a lose/lose situation.

The only way to move on is to lie and hope they never check.

Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders

aim — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:55:37 GMT

Hi Stig,

Sorry to hear that you've been suspended. In this situation you've not declared when asked and then they have said they will check. I wonder if it would have been different if you had declared to begin with when initially aksed? What I'm saying is M&S may not have been so harsh had they been aware. Unfortunately what they see now is someone with a criminal record who has also lied. It's a horrid situation. I started another thread which is listing employers who have pulled a job offer when disclosure was made when the question was asked. I think this slightly different as you didn't disclose when asked the first time. I hope it works out - they may review the matter and reinstate you.

Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders

The Stig — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:55:37 GMT

Hi all got a story for you all about Marks and Spencer

Last year in November I was told by the job center to go to a place called Rempoly in which I did. Why I was there my advisor told me she could get me a job at M&S. It took me three months to get this job as I had to go though D&A test training days for my job role and other stuff to many to list here. Before ever starting the job role she asked me about spent or unspent criminal records so I stated no I have no spent or unspent criminal records. I then started the job last week on the 17th Feb 2014 which I thought was great I now have a full time job for life. Within that week I get a letter do I want to accept there offer of the job at M&S but reading though there offer letter I notice they have to do Ref checks and background checks after signing the letter. So I thought I better come clean and honest and tell them my convection before accepting there offer of a job. So I went back to Rempoly and spoke about my conviction and she said to me I will have to disclose this now to M&S. Now I have been suspended from M&S for not disclosing my conviction in which way i have before accepting there job offer. So I would like people to know on here M&S do CRB checks and they do discriminate against people with offence. And this was at M&S big disbution center in Castle Doninghton so plz take this of the list

We all accept our crimes but should we be punished more for it?

Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders

Christopher Stacey — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:55:37 GMT

All I would say is, if they look like they're proceeding with the formal basic disclosure, make sure you get in there first with disclosing your record (assuming the ROA changes haven't come in). Depending on the process of Verifile, you might get sent the disclosure, or it might go directly to the company.

Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders

Peter - Still Going Straight — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:55:37 GMT

They've been very clear that any job offer will be subject to a pre-employment check by a company called Verifile that they use specifically to do background screening including a Disclosure (Scotland) check so I know it's coming!

Oh well, let's wait and see, it may be like the last job offer I got (which prompted my interview in the "Going Straight" book) where the disclosure I made by letter attached to the "question" didn't even get commented on after I'd spent weeks worrying about it!

Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders

Deb S — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:55:37 GMT

Hi Peter,

National Grid will be listed specifically because of a 'Young Offender' Programme they run.

Having said that, we'd be interested in how people get on when they apply to them more generally.

The starting point should be that if they've not asked you to disclose yet, then you don't need to.

You're right to keep an eye out for any disclosure requests, and certainly if they requested a basic disclosure, but in any event this should come back to you, so for the time being, I would sit tight, but you're right that, if they do end up requiring one, it would be better for you to get in there first before any disclosure lands on their mats!

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Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders

The Stig — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:55:37 GMT

I would say don't disclose yet till they ask you or do a back Ground check on you. I don't think the changes to the ROA are coming in to force any time soon or ever for that matter.

We all accept our crimes but should we be punished more for it?

Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders

Peter - Still Going Straight — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:55:37 GMT

Hi, I notice that National Grid are listed here, do we have any specific contacts with them or know about their specific policy?

I only ask because they use an external company to vet applicants and they've asked me to sign the consent form for a search etc but, so far, they've not asked me to disclose. It's particularly worrying as I'm one of the people who's conviction will be spent as soon as the changes to the RoOA come in but are still unspent today.

I'd actually quite like to disclose so they can turn me down early if necessary rather than get my hopes up but, until they ask me, I have no idea how to start the conversation! I just thought there might be a way to get the information (and my side of things) to them before they just get a vetting report with it plastered all over?

Companies Who Employ Ex-Offenders