Summary and implications
Employing ex-offenders is a sensitive issue: some employers are
wary of potential risks and reputational damage, while others
embrace the idea wholeheartedly. Sir Richard Branson, for example,
"would like to encourage more companies to proactively recruit
ex-offenders".
Most job applicants and employees are not obliged to disclose
past criminal convictions. There are a number of important
exceptions and safeguards, in particular regarding certain
professions and jobs involving children and vulnerable adults.
However, it is open for employers to require job applicants and
employees to disclose all "live" convictions, that is
those which are not "spent". The Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974 sets out the periods of time during which
convictions remain live. These periods will be reduced with effect
from 10 March 2014, in an attempt to increase the employment
opportunities for ex-offenders.
