This document provides guidance on disclosing a criminal background during the job application process. It recommends being honest about any convictions without making excuses. It also suggests highlighting skills and positive changes since the offense. The document notes that employers may still conduct background checks even if applications do not ask about convictions directly. It provides resources on obtaining records, working with probation officers, potential employer incentives, and contacting representatives for additional help with the disclosure process.

1. Disclosure
Getting a Job with a criminal background
By Christine Longmore
April 8, 2016

2.  To Whom?
 Employers, volunteer sites
 By whom?
 ECs and ETSs
 Coaching the job seeker
 Mandatory disclosure?
Disclosure

3. Don’t ask
don’t tell

4. the application question… have you
been convicted of a crime?
Yes, will
explain in
interview

5. THE BOX
 List specific crime (s) dates
 Attach additional information or
write,
 Yes, 2013 convicted of simple
assault, was drinking have 3
years of sobriety & anger
management classes
 OR
 Yes, 2010 convicted of 3 drug
related crimes, clean and sober,
will discuss further in interview
(no abbreviations)

6. During the interview
 Written or verbal explanation of
record
 Incentives
 Letters of recommendation
 Certificates earned inside or out
 Highlight skills, abilities,
motivation to work
Additional information

7.  Recently released (in the past 1-2 years)
 Released more than 2 years ago
 History of incarceration
 Criminal record w/o incarceration
 Deferred Sentences
 Tx Court
 Expungement www.expungementguide.com/Vermont-
Expungement.php
 Governors Pardon
http://governor.vermont.gov/sites/governor/files/VERMONT%20PARDON%20APPLICATION%209-6-
13.pdf
Types of Records

8.  Sex Offenders -be careful of untreated,
unsupervised sex offenders (sex
offenders can voluntarily participate in
treatment inside and aftercare in the
community) VTPSA COSA –circles of
support and accountability
 Violent Crimes
 Crimes against vulnerable populations
 - children, vulnerable adults, people with
disabilities, etc
Discuss: Media attention/Google Hits
3 types of Abuse registries –
1.sex offender 2.child abuse 3.vulnerable
adults
Serious and Violent Offenders

9.  Assessing Risk
 Managing Risk
 Safety Planning example
 Risk to community
 Community safety is our concern and
DOC priority- use their expertise if possible
 Risk to business
Bonding can help in some cases
 Risk areas for individual
 Staff Safety – Be careful, when in doubt talk to your Manager
even if it is just to manage your comfort zone
Community Safety

10.  Get clear info about what the employer is looking for
– past 7 years, 5 years, etc
 Felony Charges only
 Misdemeanor charges
 What if they don’t ask?
Older and or less serious charges
7 years or older

11. Don’t ask
don’t tell

12.  Many employers including the State of Vermont,
Target and others have joined the Ban the Box
“movement”
 This is good news for people with criminal
backgrounds and those who help them
 Colorado, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts,
New Mexico, Minnesota, and Hawaii). 50 Municipalities across the state
Ban the Box

13. BAN THE BOX
 The advantage is the opportunity to get passed the first stage of screening
(application) to the interview and offer an explanation in person
In most cases, Background checks will still
be performed

14.  Complete and accurate information
is required;
 Felony charges?
 Misdemeanor charges?
 In state out of state
-(we have access mainly to VT info)
 Who does the research?
 Use Mock Interviewing to- focus on disclosure but
emphasize: abilities, desire to work, incentives,
recommendations, good questions to ask the interviewer
Preparing for the Interview

15.  Sources;
 VCIC- VT center for
http://vcic.vermont.gov/sor handout
 Voc Rehab
 Local Courthouse
 Probation & Parole Offices
 Who’s responsibility is it to gather
this information? -discuss
Accessing a Record

16. Find out if PO will be
verifying employment
and how
-phone call, visit?
 Barre Probation and
Parole
 Bennington Probation
and Parole
 Brattleboro Probation
and Parole
 Burlington Probation
and Parole
 Hartford Probation and
Parole
 Morrisville Probation
and Parole
 Newport Probation
and Parole
 Rutland Probation and
Parole
 St. Albans Probation
and Parole
 St. Johnsbury
Probation and Parole
 Springfield Probation
and Parole
Probation and Parole Offices

17.  Probation
 Parole
 Reentry
 Reintegration Furlough
 Medical Furlough
 Treatment Furlough
 Pre-Approved Furlough
 PAF WorkCrew
 Supervised Community Sentence
 Home Confinement
 Home Detention
 Unique Community
 In Jail -Sentenced
 In Jail - Detained
 In Jail -Sent/Det
 Unique in Jail
 Unique under DOC (Act 248
cases)
Types of Status

18. DOC Offender Locator
www.doc.vermont.gov/offender-locator -
this link will provide information for
anyone who is currently under supervision
http://www.doc.state.vt.us/custody-
supervision/archive-count/population-counts-
town-by-status-december-31-2014/view
Offender Locator

19.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klilTiisjQE
 What did he do wrong?
 _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
 What did he do right?
 _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Preparing for the interview

20. This might be how it feels

21. Not a great explanation

22.  Research company
 Identify positions of interest
 Complete application on line or paper
 Submit resume if appropriate
 Prepare questions – standard or specific
-Or a combination of both
 Send a thank you note, or call, something
 Get permission to check back in, find out when
Please and thank you

23.  Resumes should include work in
facilities as well as any certificates
earned
 Letters of recommendation from
employers, volunteer supervisors,
W.E. Supervisors
 Email etiquette, On line
applications, personality
tests -refer to VABIR resources
Resumes, letters, certificates

24.  In a few sentences, explain the
circumstances of your crime (s)
 - underlying causes, not excuses
 Who were the victims of your crime (s)
 Have you done anything to repair the harm you
caused?
 Is your life different now? Please explain
 How have you changed?
 What is your plan to stay out of jail?
 What skills, abilities, positive character traits do
you have to offer an employer?
Questions to Ask

25.  Be honest
 Be Brief highlight/state the date (if it helps)
 Take responsibility, be accountable
 Describe the “new you”
ex. In 2015, I was struggling with addiction
and made some poor choices. When you do a
background check, this is what you will find..
 Offer Skillsets, Certificates,
recommendations, incentives
Rules of Thumb

26. Using OWD Participant info sheets
 Role 1
 Employer
 Role 2
 Job seeker
 Role 3
 Observer/note taker
(did they use rules of thumb?)
Role Play

27. EC
What it looks like
Job seeker
What it looks like
In many cases, it will be both
Your job might be to smooth the road for
the job seeker before the interview
Job seeker may still need to offer
information
Who is disclosing?

28. VABIR/CJC Workforce Development 2016
Employer Incentives
WOTC Work Opportunity Tax Credit
$2,400.00 Tax Credit for businesses who hire people who are in certain groups;
Unemployed Veterans (including disabled veterans)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Recipients
Food Stamp (SNAP) Recipients
Designated Community Residents (living in Empowerment Zones or Rural Renewal Counties)
Vocational Rehabilitation Referred Individuals
Ex-Felons
Supplemental Security Income Recipients
Summer Youth Employees (living in Empowerment Zones)
Up to $9,000.00 for people who belong to families that have received family assistance from the state for a long period of time
Bonding Federal Bonding Program
Like insurance in case equipment is damaged, theft occurs, etc. covers the first 6 months of employment
A $5,000.00 bond is issued upon an offer of employment or after a person has secured employment
VT Dept of Labor can issue a bonding certificate within a few days
People who are eligible:
Ex Offenders, People who have been in jail or just have criminal records
Recovering substance abusers who have been rehabilitated through treatment
People with poor credit histories or have declared bankruptcy
People who have been dishonorably discharged from the military
People lacking work history or are from families with low income
CWS Creative Workforce Solutions
These are options that are available for Vocational Rehabilitation job seekers as a way to help people get in the door and offer a benefit to businesses
without them taking a risk
Workman’s Comp insurance is provided by the state for VR consumers and while a person is in a trial/work experience, job shadow, temp to hire, or
OJT
Company Tours
Short-term Job Shadows
Risk Free Trial/Work Experience
Temp-To-Hire
On-the-Job Training (OJT)
Employer Incentives Sheet

29. Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is available
again for employers who hire people with significant
barriers to employment
www.doleta.gov/business/incentives/opptax/PDF/emp
loyers_wotc_program_brochure_5_24_12.pdf
Chance Payette, Vermont Department of Labor
Vermont WOTC Coordinator, P.O. Box 488
Montpelier, VT 05601-0488, 802-828-3920
802-828-4374(fax) Chance.Payette@vermont.gov
qualifying documents from VR or DOC
 Federal Bonding Program, which assures
employers of job honesty for at-risk job searchers
www.bonds4jobs.com
Job Seekers need to Register with VTDOL and
possibly the selective services Dept.
WOTC and Bonding Links

30.  Manpower, Labor Ready,
Spherion
 Can be a great resource but
be careful of a few things;
 If the agency does not
disclose to the employer and
the employer decides to offer
the person a job ….
 Unidentified Matrix - handout
Employment Agencies

31.  Prescribed medication
 Use of Illegal drugs
 Safety concerns
 Conditional UA s –could be used
to the job seekers advantage
Drug testing

32.  1.___________________________________
 2.___________________________________
 3.___________________________________
Take Aways

33. Christine Longmore 802.865.7574
Offender Workforce Development
Specialist
VABIR/Burlington Community Justice
Center
200 Church Street Burlington VT
clongmore@vabir.org or
clongmore@burlingtonvt.gov
www.vabir.org
VABIR
ORES/OWD Contacts

34.  Links
 video of person in interview : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klilTiisjQE
 (18 minutes long)- worth watching 

 WOTC – Work Opportunity Tax Credit
 www.doleta.gov/business/incentives/opptax/PDF/employers_wotc_program_brochure_5_24_12.pdf

 Bonding link www.bonds4jobs.com

 Sex Offender Registry Visit the Vermont Sex Offender Public Website

 DOC Offender Locator www.doc.vermont.gov/offender-locator

 Probation and Parole Offices around the state:
 Barre Probation and Parole
 Bennington Probation and Parole
 Brattleboro Probation and Parole
 Burlington Probation and Parole
 Hartford Probation and Parole
 Morrisville Probation and Parole
 Newport Probation and Parole
 Rutland Probation and Parole
 St. Albans Probation and Parole
 St. Johnsbury Probation and Parole
 Springfield Probation and Parole


 Expungement
 www.expungementguide.com/Vermont-Expungement.php

 Governors Pardon http://governor.vermont.gov/sites/governor/files/VERMONT%20PARDON%20APPLICATION%209-6-13.pdf

Useful Links