Being arrested and facing legal charges can affect your life in many ways, not the least of which is your employment. A lot of people assume that their employer will learn of your charges sooner or later, but charges are not the same as convictions. In most cases, your employer doesn’t need to know about anything unless you’ve been convicted of a crime. And yet, there may be times when it is in your best interest to keep them informed. We recommend not saying anything about your charges until you’ve discussed them with an attorney, but here are three reasons why you would keep your employer informed.
1. Company Policy States that You Must Disclose Charges
If you’re not sure whether or not to report legal charges to your employer, check your company’s policy and go over any contracts that you had to sign. Some companies require you to report any charges you may be facing. This may be the case if you have a job that requires you to have a driver’s license and you are charged with a DUI. Then again, if your charges will never impact your ability to legally perform your job duties, you don’t have to report anything unless you are convicted.
2. Your Charges Could Cause You to Miss Work
You will almost certainly have to appear in court if you are charged with a crime, especially a serious one. Even if you do manage to post bail and not have to spend time in a jail cell until your court date, you still have to appear in court. If this time in court falls during a scheduled shift at your job, you will need to miss work, and you will need to tell your employer why. If you miss a shift without telling your employer why, things will end badly for you, especially if your employment is “at will” and can end for practically any reason. In this case, it’s best to come clean even if you’re likely to be acquitted of all charges.
3. You Want Your Employer to Learn About Your Charges Directly from You
While you don’t have to tell your employer that you are facing legal charges, they may find out if those charges will affect your ability to do your job. If your employer is going to find out about your charges eventually, they might appreciate hearing about them from you first. It might show them that you have integrity and character, and it gives you the chance to present your side of the story. Be careful about how much you disclose, however. Giving too much information about an ongoing case could make your employer a witness in the case, which will likely work against you. You can come clean about your legal charges if you think it could help you keep your job, but don’t provide too many details if you don’t have to.
When it comes to facing legal charges, your employer should be on a need-to-know basis. They don’t need to be told anything most of the time unless there’s a conviction, so it’s best to keep quiet if it doesn’t affect your job performance. In any case, we highly recommend speaking to an attorney before providing any information about your case to anyone.
Disclaimer: The content in this article is provided for general knowledge. It does not constitute legal advice, and readers should seek advice from qualified legal professionals regarding particular cases or situations.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
