post office ltd and criminal record check

laura678

hi
I was just wondering if anybody here might know whether the post office run basic or standard disclosure for employees?


I have been offered a position and need to pass a security check, but I don't know if its a basic check. I have written a letter of disclosure, I have worked in a post office a few years ago, but I know the disclosure checks have now changed and really worried I will fail the checks if its not a basic check. All convictions are now spent and were more than 20 years ago as a teenager but I know they will show up on some of the checks. Can anyone please help, I'm worried sick

skintpaul

Not sure on difference, between basic and standard..? check out DBS info on https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check/overview

laura678

ok thank you, looks like they have changed it all and I will fail the check as it doesn't look like employers use the basic check anymore, which only shows unspent convictions. The standard one shows both spent and unspent, I think this is what they will be using. Thanks.

elsien

Convictions showing up from years ago don't necessarily rule you out. Organisations have their own policies, taking into account how long ago and what they were for. If you're sure they're going to show up on the disclosure, it's always better to have the conversation first rather than let the employer find it out themselves.
Did the application form ask about convictions, and if so what did you say?

Does this help to check if yours might be filtered out? (There's also more information on the NACRO site)
http://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/filtering-simple-guide/

BigAunty

AFAIK, employers cant request any level of check they like, it has to relate to the type of role. Most employers for most roles can only request a basic check.

Also, even on higher level disclosures not all spent convictions have to show - there was a court ruling in favour of disclosure applicants, inc one who had a teenage spent conviction published - the judge thought it is disproportionate and breaches human rights.

I know this doesnt directly answer your question - look up the supreme court ruling.

laura678

Thanks for your reply. When I applied for the job I thought it was just the basic check that they do, but since it has changed to the dbs it seems it is different. Unfortunately I have multiple offences so although its spent it will never be filtered from anything other than the basic check. I was offered the position before and he wants me to fill in the forms for the check this Monday. I sent him an email in a panic late Thursday night, which is when I had just read through the training details that I need to have a security and vetting check. I have told him I have convictions, but his reply was that I am sure it is spent now but I need you to tell me what the 'conviction' was for. I just don't know what to say to him, I am so embarrassed, it wasn't one conviction, there was a few. I told him I didn't want to make excuses, I grew up in care and went down the wrong path, but it was so long ago, I had just hoped that I would be entitled to a second chance

Wellery82

laura678 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. When I applied for the job I thought it was just the basic check that they do, but since it has changed to the dbs it seems it is different. Unfortunately I have multiple offences so although its spent it will never be filtered from anything other than the basic check. I was offered the position before and he wants me to fill in the forms for the check this Monday. I sent him an email in a panic late Thursday night, which is when I had just read through the training details that I need to have a security and vetting check. I have told him I have convictions, but his reply was that I am sure it is spent now but I need you to tell me what the 'conviction' was for. I just don't know what to say to him, I am so embarrassed, it wasn't one conviction, there was a few. I told him I didn't want to make excuses, I grew up in care and went down the wrong path, but it was so long ago, I had just hoped that I would be entitled to a second chance

A lot of employers will be very sympathetic to this - I would be totally honest with them. Good luck

laura678

thank you. But honestly I don't think he will want me to go back in once he finds out I have multiple convictions. Just would be nice one day to actually stop being punished and get a job that I can do. I have done the cleaning jobs, nothing wrong with it, but I need to do something else, yet some things I did 23 years ago are getting in the way of me ever doing anything. I had my punishment back then..Cant see he will want me in a post office handling thousands of pounds of cash a day, when ive got so many convictions. Oh well not much I can do now, ive sent the email, but I've told him I cant remember most of it because it was so long ago, probably stupid thing to do, I cant really look anymore stupid than I already do

DCFC79

laura678 wrote: »

thank you. But honestly I don't think he will want me to go back in once he finds out I have multiple convictions. Just would be nice one day to actually stop being punished and get a job that I can do. I have done the cleaning jobs, nothing wrong with it, but I need to do something else, yet some things I did 23 years ago are getting in the way of me ever doing anything. I had my punishment back then..Cant see he will want me in a post office handling thousands of pounds of cash a day, when ive got so many convictions. Oh well not much I can do now, ive sent the email, but I've told him I cant remember most of it because it was so long ago, probably stupid thing to do, I cant really look anymore stupid than I already do

Be honest and let them decide to employ you or not.

usefulmale

How many children or vulnerable adults are you expected to look after at the Post Office? A DBS check to work at the Post Office? Just think it over for a minute and realise how stupid that is.

soolin

usefulmale wrote: »

How many children or vulnerable adults are you expected to look after at the Post Office? A DBS check to work at the Post Office? Just think it over for a minute and realise how stupid that is.

I don't think that's the issue, many employers where money is handled or where there are financial issues involved will exclude people with certain convictions from employment. However, no one can reassure the OP whether this will be an issue or not so all they can do is come clean and ask the recruiter.