Should I Tell My Employer If I Got a DUI?
If you’ve been arrested and charged with a DUI, you may have to tell your friends, family and law enforcement about the circumstances surrounding the situation. Lots of people may know about your DUI. Making the decision about whether or not to tell your boss about the charge, however, can be especially nerve-racking.
I Got a DUI: Should I Tell My Employer?
If you are employed and are charged with drunk driving, your DUI arrest can affect your employment. For example, if you are required to drive to work, you will have to find an alternate form of transport while your license is suspended. If you are required to operate company vehicles at work, your employment contract will generally say you need to disclose all DUI arrests and conviction.
One of the first things you’ll want to do if you have been arrested and charged is to read your employment contract. Certain types of employees — including those who drive, pilots, those who work in public office, those who work in schools, military personnel and others — may need to disclose any DUI arrest to their employer. Your specific contract may require you to report your DUI when you are arrested, charged or convicted. It’s important you comply with your employment contract, or you may be fired.
Can You Get Fired for a DUI?
One of the reasons employees hesitate to tell their bosses about a DUI is they fear being fired. Unfortunately, employers do have the option of firing someone for a DUI — especially in cases where an employee is required to drive, work with children or work in other high-responsibility professions. A DUI arrest or charge can also affect future career prospects by making you seem like more of a risk for promotions and certain types of positions. Nevertheless, if your employment contract requires it, you will want to share your arrest or conviction with your employer.
Before speaking with your employer, you may want to consult with an attorney who can advise you about ways to minimize the impact of a DUI charge on your life in your career. An attorney can represent you if you feel you’re being treated unjustly because of your record.
If your work contract doesn’t require you to disclose a DUI arrest or charge, you may have the option of keeping the charge private. Nevertheless, office gossip or your picture in a mug shot can alert your employer and coworkers to your charge. If you are asked directly by your employer whether you have been arrested or charged, it may be best not to lie. Again, consulting with an attorney can help give you a sense of the best ways to proceed in your specific situation.
Do I Need to Disclose a DUI When Applying for a Job?
Many employers will run a background and criminal check before making a job offer anyway. If your DUI conviction is on your record, they will likely see it. In addition, some employers may ask questions about previous convictions, arrests or other issues. If you are asked these types of questions, it is important to review them carefully. If you are asked whether you have ever been convicted of a crime, for example, but you have never been convicted or the case is still before the courts, you can honestly answer “no.”
It is not a crime to avoid listing a DUI on a job application, but it can hurt your prospects to lie if you are asked specifically about DUIs, arrests or convictions.
Getting Support
It can be daunting to face a DUI charge, arrest or conviction. If you would like support, contact MPL Law for a consultation. Our law firm doesn’t just treat clients as numbers. We understand there is a story behind your situation, and we’ll take the time to delve into the details of your case to offer you the highest standard of support and legal representation.
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