I've been on my job for over a year and now my employer asked me to fill out a criminal background check.. I have a felony from 21 years ago.. I omitted on my application that I ever had a arrest record.. what are my options.. go ahead and quit before I get fired? Will I be able to collect unemployment if I do get fired since I didn't fess up on my job application?. I feel guilty I didn't say anything.. but it was so long ago... a stupid mistake... being in with the wrong kind of company... I've never gotten to any trouble since... thanks in advance for your advices... I do appreciate it...

I am hoping that others respond to your question. My first impulse would be to advise that you speak to your supervisor/boss about this. 21 years ago is a long time ago. You already have had the job for over a year. I hope that you have been really good at it and also made yourself indispensable. I wouldn't recommend quiting until you see what you supervisor/boss has to say.

Thank you for your response.. as a matter of fact... I'm up for a promotion on my job.. the extra income would be great since I'm a single mother... I've been trying to do the right thing since my "incident" so many years ago... my sister did a background check and came up with nothing... but she had the wrong date of birth.. but the right social security numberl... no record was found... its it possible that my record could come up with the right date of birth? Or the social is all that is needed? Once again... I would greatly appreciate all advices...

Hello mom:

It is ABSOLUTELY possible that they'll never find it. Shhhhhh!

excon

Don't risk it. Go to your immediate supervisor now and explain the circumstances. Tell the supervisor that when you filled out the job application, you didn't believe anything over 20 years ago still counted. But now, with this new request for a check you are concerned it may show up.

If your immediate supervisor likes you, they will run interference for you. But if you continue to hide it and it comes up, you could be immediately terminated for cause and that means no unemployment.

Scottgem is right, as usual. If you lied on your application then you can be fired for cause and be ineligible for unemployment benefits.

Talk to your supervisor. 21 years is a lifetime. It sounds like you are a great employee and I am sure they will work with you.

All of the posts provide valid advice. Could you perhaps hire a company to perform a thorough back ground check on yourself? If it doesn't show up, I would keep quiet. If on the subsequent check it somehow came up, you could claim that you were under the impression that the record had been expunged, and did not need to be reported.

Hello again, mom:

I'm not an advocate of lying about your record. But once you have done so, I don't see a benefit from throwing yourself on your sword.

What I would do, no matter how this works out, is get my offense pardoned or my record expunged. After 21 years, I'd go the pardon route. You'll need a lawyer.

Then you can look people in the eye and tell them that you have not been convicted of a felony.

excon

Awesome... so many responses to my question.. I really do appreciate it... I'll share some news... I officially got my promotion today... I simply couldn't burst the bubble about my past... I'll face the music if anything pops up... I'll take the advice I didn't know I had to report it since it was so long ago... and see where it leads me... I'll keep you posted... thanks again...

Oh... Thanks excon for the advice about how to take care of my record... It is duly noted... and will be acted upon.. :)

Okay All...I did promise an update...well...The criminal background check came back clean..no records found....I'm so relieved....21 years is a long time ...I really didn't want to be judged on something I did so long ago & deeply regret...Thanks again to those who responded and gave me some good advice...

Glad to hear it worked out okay. Thanks for the update.

I thought most background checks didn't go back past seven years. I don't think something from 21 yrs ago should be a problem.

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Originally Posted by Montessny

I thought most background checks didn't go back past seven years. I don't think something from 21 yrs ago should be a problem.

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You thought wrong. CREDIT checks generally only go back 7 years, but not criminal checks.

I agree with Clough's response. If you've proven yourself to be a worthy employee it's not likely that they'd fire you over something that happened 21 years ago, unless it is some type of government job that forbids employment of ex-felons under any conditions. If that's the case I find it surprising that they'd wait a year to do a background check.But speak with your supervisor pronto.