Legal Question in Employment Law in Pennsylvania

Criminal Background

In the 80's my husband was a heroin addict and served time in county detention centers on 3 occasions. He has been drug-free for 12 years with the help of a methadone maintenance program. He is currently employed as a purchasing mgr for a co. that supplies nursing homes, etc with the products they use: hospital beds, feeding systems, incontinence products, etc. If he were to apply for a new position in this field, and a criminal background check is made, is there a limit regarding the number of years back the prospective employer is allowed to check?

Thank you,

--name removed--Kane


Asked on 10/29/04, 8:00 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mark Johns Mark Johns, Esquire

Re: Criminal Background

The criminal background check is not limited by when it occurred. The main questions are what were the detentions for and were convictions entered on the record. If there are convicitions are they for misdemeanors or felonies? Generally, a previous misdemeanor is not a bar to employment. The only complication is the connection to the healthcare field were there are certain convicitions that can be disqualifying.

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Answered on 10/29/04, 11:22 pm


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