When an applicant's background check reveals a relevant conviction, a thorough and individualized assessment will be conducted by a designated senior manager or human resources representative. The decision to approve or reject the applicant will be based on the totality of the circumstances, considering the following factors:
- Nature of the Offense: The specific details of the crime will be carefully reviewed.
- Violent or Sexual Offenses: Convictions for violent crimes (e.g., assault, battery, armed robbery) or sexual offenses (e.g., molestation, sexual assault, statutory rape) will be given the most weight and will generally result in rejection due to the high risk they pose to our members.
- Non-Violent Felonies: For non-violent felonies, the nature of the crime and its relevance to the job duties will be considered. For example, a conviction for fraud would be viewed differently from a drug-related offense, although both are serious.
- Time Since Conviction: The length of time that has passed since the conviction and completion of the sentence (including parole or probation) is a key factor.
- Recent Convictions: Recent convictions (e.g., within the last 5-7 years) will be given significant weight and are more likely to result in rejection.
- Older Convictions: Convictions that occurred a long time ago (e.g., 10+ years) may be considered, particularly if there is no subsequent criminal history and there is evidence of rehabilitation.
- Evidence of Rehabilitation: We will consider any documented evidence that the applicant has taken steps to reform their behavior. This may include:
- Successful completion of a rehabilitation program, counseling, or therapy.
- Letters of recommendation from probation officers, counselors, or employers.
- A stable employment history since the conviction.
- Demonstrated remorse and accountability for their past actions.
- The Position Applied For: The specific responsibilities of the role will be considered. A position with direct, unsupervised access to minors will have a stricter standard than a role with no member interaction.
- Jurisdictional Requirements: The policy will be reviewed to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws regarding background checks and employment decisions.