A DUI conviction can severely impact your current and potential future employment. The consequences of driving under the influence (DUI) are serious enough to create challenges that will most likely be difficult to overcome. In addition to missing work hours to attend state-mandated alcohol education classes, your driver’s license may be suspended, your criminal record may probed during employment verifications and you may suffer the embarrassment and the stigma of a criminal conviction.
Alcohol Education Classes
Most states require individuals with a DUI conviction to attend alcohol education classes. Mandatory attendance may mean coordinating your work schedule to accommodate course hours, which might also require the use of personal leave time. You will need to explain both your DUI conviction and your possible schedule conflict to your supervisor, which could result in your disqualification from your current position.
Suspended License
Most states suspend individuals’ driver’s license as the result of a DUI conviction. This will more than likely affect your ability to travel to and from your workplace. Moreover, since DUI convictions are sometimes automatically reported to employers, you may be released from your position, particularly if it is one that requires you to drive.
- Even if your license is reinstated and you are again able to drive for work, your employer may feel that the cost of maintaining insurance on an individual with a DUI conviction is too high and may opt to release you from your duties.
- If you either have a commercial driver’s license or drive long distance for work, this might mean having to find another field of employment.
Current Employer
If your position requires high security clearance, detection of your DUI conviction may be unavoidable. Government and government subcontractor positions are highly subject to rigorous background investigations. Moreover, many of these institutions have access to computer databases such as the National Crime Information Center and/or other electronic state records that have information about all arrests and convictions.
Potential Employers
Any position for which you apply may require a criminal background check, and a DUI conviction may disqualify you from a job for which you might have otherwise qualified. Employers may check your criminal and driving records for as many as 10 years back, and at times, may check your complete record.
Getting Help
To determine how best to address the complications of a DUI conviction and employment, you might consider seeking legal counsel. An attorney can advise you about when and how to discuss your conviction with your employer, and may also be able to work on your behalf to have your record expunged, i.e., to have the DUI conviction removed from your record. While you have hopefully learned from your mistake and are ready to move on, remember that employers not share this perspective, so legal mediation may prove advantageous.
