do i need to declare my criminal record??

[gypsy-tart]

i am applying for a job working in a charity shop. when i was a teen i was arrested a few times nothing serious a couple of my offences were , drunk and disorderly,assault, 2 counts of theft (a bike and shoplifting) , aiding and abetting . All VERY petty but what i need to know is do i have to declare these offences on my applicatin form. i know its a cliche but i really have changed and i am a completely different person now but the company wont see that when they look at my form. Im pretty ertain that i will not get the job if i list these offences. what do you think i should do?? tell them and risk losing the job or keep quiet and hope they dont do a check?? thanks in advance. x

[loukr]

the chances are they might do a check anyway. If someone has been arrested for shoplifting, then they are basically automatically banned from working in a shop, for obvious reasons. keeping it quiet will only get you in the sh!t in the long run

[Andyvon]

I think your best bet is to be honest and tell them. If you are honest now then they may well accept that you have changed - especially if the offences were petty and a long time ago. However, if they find that you have not been honest about your past then they will have every right to think that you are still essentially the same.

There are lots of checks on people now and your chances of any lie remaining undetected are not high. It's also a small world and there is a chance that someone will come in the shop one day, recognise you, and spill the beans to your employer. You would have committed a sackable offence. Even if no one does spill the beans, you will always live in fear that someone will. However, if your employer knows your past, then you will have no worries at all.

[dennilson]

All depends how long ago your convictions were. Not sure of the time limit but they may be covered by the Rehabilitation of offenders Act which would allow your offences to drop off the Police National Computer and would not be visible to employers. However this does not preclude the use of such information by The Police. I would ring your local Police headquarters and ask for advice Chances are if it was over 10yrs ago you may be lucky.

[gypsy-tart]

hi thanks you guys, guess your right, honesty is the best policy!! wish me luck x