does getting fired go on your background check
Does getting fired go on your record? Not necessarily.
Losing a job is never fun, but when someone is worried that a previous firing will go on their record, it can be even more stressful.
Fortunately, getting fired will only go on a person’s record (and subsequently will be part of what shows up on a background check) if the cause of the firing was related to criminal behavior.
In that case, someone who’s searching information for a background check may be able to put 2 and 2 together and figure out that the crime resulted in the loss of occupation, and may cause someone to fail the check. Can you still get a job if you fail a background check? Of course, but with a criminal record, it can be a little more difficult to obtain certain positions.
Note that even if the firing doesn’t go on your criminal record, it may show up on a pre employment background check for your next job that includes asking previous employers to verify your employment history along with an education verification check.
The ’cause’ that can make being fired show up on a person’s public record it what’s important. If the event was the result of any number of misdemeanors or felonies, the resulting criminal record will have them, including:
Although these are criminal records, a firing can also go on your record when employers do a search to find out where someone works and the previous employer makes them aware of the termination.
Of course, being fired is something most people have experienced, so it’s not a big deal. However, understanding when being fired will appear on a record can help applicants know what to disclose before a background check shows it to a potential new employer.
Will A Background Check Show Getting Fired?
The short answer is probably not — it is unlikely for getting fired to appear on a person’s background check.1 The main instances in which getting fired will show on a person’s record is if the firing was related to a criminal offense (i.e., shoplifting, assault, etc.).
In most cases, getting fired does not have a direct impact on a person’s permanent record or future career opportunities. Although the disgruntled employer may not be the best reference to use for future job interviews, there is always a way to explain the situation to a potential new boss.
Various types of background checks can provide employers with a variety of information that can be useful to help make their decision, such as credit information, past employment history, education history, and other criminal activities, but will not display getting fired from a job.2
Does Being Fired Go On Your Record? (If I Get Fired, Does It Go On My Record)
The only time being fired will appear on a person’s permanent record is if the act that resulted in being let go was criminal in nature and resulted in a charge.
For example, if someone was fired for theft at their place of work (like being caught taking cash from the register), and criminal charges were filed and a conviction occurred, then that ‘firing’ will likely show up on a background check. But, it will ‘show up,’ in relation to the criminal theft conviction.
Does Involuntary Manslaughter Go On Your Record?
Involuntary manslaughter is an accidental action in which there is no premeditation to harm or kill the person involved.3 As a result, this charge has lighter sentencing than premeditated crimes. The punishment for this crime varies depending on state-wide and federal law but remains on a person’s record indefinitely. Therefore, it will be on a person’s criminal record.
Does Theft Go On Your Record?
Theft is taking personal property with the intent to remove the property from another person’s possession. If a person is found guilty of theft, it can result in fines, jail time, or probation.4 Theft will appear on a person’s permanent record and can significantly hamper their employment.
Does Misdemeanor Assault Go On Your Record?
Misdemeanor assault is one of the least serious assault crimes that does not involve serious injury but places someone in fear of harm or their own safety. Misdemeanor assault will appear on a person’s criminal record, which can drastically reduce the chances of them getting specific employment opportunities, houses, or bank loans.5
These charges will stay on a person’s permanent record indefinitely unless they go through diversion programs or other methods to wipe the charge from their record. 6
Does Gross Misconduct Go On Your Record?
Gross misconduct is a blanket term that covers a wide range of actions or behaviors that can result in someone being fired. Typically, gross misconduct refers to behaving in an unethical, immoral, or unprofessional manner that causes them to be fired from a specific business.7 Gross misconduct instances include bullying, theft, bribery, safety breaches, discrimination, harassment, violence, and other unethical manners.
Gross misconduct will only appear on a person’s record if the acts that caused the misconduct were criminal in nature.
Does Forgery Go On Your Record?
Forgery is making, using, changing, or possessing false writing with the intent to commit fraudulent activities. Also known as counterfeiting, this is a serious crime that is considered to be a felony according to the United States Federal Government.
If the forgery is considered a misdemeanor offense during certain exceptions, it may not appear on a person’s permanent record indefinitely. These misdemeanor exceptions have a prison time of one year in the United States and typically result in probation and community service.
However, when forgery is considered a felony, it will appear on a person’s record along with the firing from employment.8
How Long Does Employment Termination Stay On Your Record?
“Employee termination” refers to any instance in which the relationship between employee and employer no longer exists, such as resignation, layoff, position elimination, and retirement.
If there are charges against an individual in the workplace while they are an employee of a specific company, the employer should retain the personnel records relating to the charges under investigation.
Although employers are required to keep records for a set amount of time, the act of employment termination will not appear on a person’s background check.10
Does Getting Terminated Show On Your Record: Does Getting Fired go on your Background Check All 50 States
Does getting fired ruin your career? Of course not.
Every state has specific laws about the sort of criminal information that can appear on a background check, either misdemeanors or felonies.
However, since these crimes (if they happen at work) will show up on a person’s record, they can be found by new potential employers.
One of the best ways to know whether the ‘firing’ will show up is to run a background check on yourself in your specific state. This is known as a level 1 background check.
Each state’s link is provided in the table below:
State | Legal Code | Felony | Misdemeanor |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Alabama | Alabama Background Check | Grand theft: Yes Aggravated Assault: Yes |
Sex Offense: Yes
Violent Offense: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Alaska | Background Check Program | Drug manufacturing: Yes
Aggravated Assault: Yes Serious violent offenses: Yes |
Property Theft: Yes
Prostitution: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Arizona | Criminal History Records | Murder: Yes
Manslaughter: Yes Negligent Homicide: Yes Aggravated Robbery: Yes |
DUI: Yes
Dangerous Drugs Possession: Yes Narcotic Drugs Possession: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Arkansas | Criminal Background Checks | Violent and Sexual Crimes: Yes
Motor Vehicle Crimes: Yes |
Negligent HOmicide: Yes
Third-Degree Battery: Yes Public Sexual Indecency: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In California | Fingerprint Background Checks | Murder: Yes
Rape Yes Lewd acts with a child under 14: Yes |
DUI without Injury: Yes
Theft: Yes Battery: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Colorado | Employment and Background Checks | Sex Crimes: Yes
Domestic violence: Yes Level 1 Drug Crimes: Yes |
Underage drinking: Yes
Prostitution: Yes Domestic violence: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Connecticut | Background Checks | Felony murder: Yes
Aggravated sexual assault of a minor: Yes |
Petty Theft: Yes
Prostitution: Yes Stalking: Yes Assault: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Delaware | Background Check Center | Drug possession: Yes
Unlawful dealing of counterfeit substances: Yes |
Violation of Domestic Violence Protective Order: Yes
Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Florida | Level 1 and Level 2 Criminal History Record Checks | Murder: Yes
Child Abuse: Yes Grand theft: Yes |
Petty theft: Yes
Battery: Yes Domestic violence: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Georgia | Obtaining Criminal History Record Information | Terroristic Threats: Yes
Forcible rape: Yes |
Pimping and pandering: Yes
SEx crimes against children: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Hawaii | Hawaii Background Check System | Second-degree Assault: yes
Aggravated Harassment by Stalking: Yes |
DUI: Yes
Drug possession: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Idaho | Idaho Criminal History Unit | Reckless Driving: Yes
DUI: Yes |
|
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Illinois | Background Checks | Possession with intent to distribute: Yes
Cultivation: Yes |
Under the influence of marijuana: Yes
Possession with personal use: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Indiana | PLA Criminal Background Checks | Aggravated rape: Yes
Child solicitation: Yes |
Resisting Law Enforcement: Yes
Carrying a handgun without a License: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Iowa | Criminal History Record Check Information | Sexual assault: Yes
Burglary: Yes |
Assault without bodily harm: Yes
Trespassing: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Kansas | Criminal History Record Search | Voluntary manslaughter: Yes
Theft of property: Yes |
Striking or hitting someone: Yes
Patronizing a prostitute: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Kentucky | Background Checks | Murder: Yes
Kidnapping that results in the death of a victim: Yes |
Assault that results in bodily injury: Yes
Burglary: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Louisiana | Criminal Background Check Information | Sexual assault/rape: Yes
Theft crimes: Yes |
Cyberbullying: Yes
Petty theft: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Maine | Criminal History Record Information | Assault with a deadly weapon: Yes
Drug trafficking: Yes |
Prostitution: Yes
Driving on a suspended license: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Maryland | Background Check Information | Murder: Yes
Robbery: Yes Sexual assault: Yes |
Theft under $1,000: Yes
Minor drug possession: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Massachusetts | Background Record Checks | DUI 3rd offense: Yes
Vehicular homicide: Yes |
Criminal Harassment: Yes
Theft of a gun worth $1,200 or less: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Michigan | Criminal History Records | Criminal sexual conduct: Yes
Theft of $1,000 or more: Yes |
Reckless driving: Yes
Marijuana possession: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Minnesota | Criminal Background Checks | Criminal sexual conduct: Yes
Drug possession: Yes |
Reckless driving: Yes
First-time DWI: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Mississippi | Criminal History Record Checks | First-degree murder: Yes
Aggravated domestic violence: Yes |
Dui: Yes
Shoplifting for less than $500: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Missouri | Criminal Record Check | 1st-degree arson: Yes
1st-degree Domestic Assault: Yes |
Assault in the 4th Degree: Yes
Domestic Assault in the 4th Degree: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Montana | Background Checks | Murder: Yes
Rape: Yes |
Drunk driving: Yes
Petty theft: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Nebraska | Criminal History Record Requests | First-degree Murder: Yes
Kidnapping: Yes |
Third-degree Assault: Yes
Threats of domestic Assault: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Nevada | Background Check Requirements | Third DUI conviction in 7 years: Yes
Felony DUI: Yes |
Traffic tickets: Yes
Assault: Yes Vandalism: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In New Hampshire | Criminal History Record Requests | Murder: Yes
Sex crimes: Yes |
Criminal mischief: Yes
Simple assault: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In New Jersey | New Jersey Criminal History Records Information | Murder: Yes
Money laundering: Yes Drug trafficking: Yes |
Municipal crimes: Yes
Assaults And threats: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In New Mexico | New Mexico Department of Public Safety | Kidnapping:
Yes Human trafficking: Yes |
Battery: Yes
Shifting items with a value between $250 and $500: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In New York | Criminal History Records, Background Checks | Murder: Yes
Arson: Yes |
Prostitution: Yes
Petty theft: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In North Carolina | Background Checks | First-degree sexual offense: Yes
Second-degree murder: Yes |
Simple assault: Yes
Disorderly conduct: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In North Dakota | Background Check AND CRiminal History REcord Check | Drug crimes: Yes
Property crimes: Yes |
Disorderly conduct: Yes
Prostitution: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Ohio | Background Checks | Murder: Yes
Abduction: Yes Fleeing and eluding: Yes |
DUI: Yes
Driving under suspension: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Oklahoma | Criminal History | Second DUI offense: Yes
Aggravated assault: Yes |
Assault: Yes
Breaking and entering: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Oregon | CHC Background Checks | Murder: Yes
Assault: Yes |
Assault in the fourth degree: Yes
Harassment: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Pennsylvania | Clearances/Background Checks | Aggravated assault with deadly weapon: Yes | Simple assault: Yes
Terroristic threats: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Rhode Island | Background Checks | Murder: Yes
Aggravated assault and/or battery: Yes |
Simple assault or battery: Yes
Indecent exposure: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In South Carolina | South Carolina Law Enforcement Division | Criminal sexual conduct: Yes
Carjacking: Yes |
Possession of alcohol under age 21: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In South Dakota | Background Check Requirements | Aggravated kidnapping: Yes
First-degree manslaughter: Yes |
Staling: Yes
First-degree petty theft: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Tennessee | Background Checks | Homicide: Yes
Burglary: Yes |
Driving while intoxicated: Yes
Disorderly conduct: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Texas | References and Background Checks | Aggravated assault of public servant: Yes
Attempted capital murder: Yes |
Assault causing bodily injury: Yes
Possession of marijuana: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Utah | Employment Background Checks | Violent crimes: Yes
Prescription drug charges: yes |
DUI/DWI: Yes
Simple assault: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Vermont | Record Checks | First-degree murder: Yes
First-degree arson: Yes |
Simple assault: Yes
Petit larceny: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Virginia | Civil and Applicant Record Exchange | Animal cruelty: Yes
Repeat larcenies: Yes |
Reckless driving: Yes
Assault and battery: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Washington | Background Check Central Unit | Second-degree murder: Yes
Many types of rape: Yes |
Simple possession of marijuana: Yes
Shoplifting: yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In West Virginia | Background Check Information | First-degree murder: Yes
Malicious assault: Yes |
Minor or simple assault: Yes
Trespassing: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Wisconsin | Background Check Requirements | Aggravated battery causing substantial bodily harm: Yes | Theft of property worth less than $2,500: Yes
Hazing: Yes |
Does Getting Fired Go on Your Record In Wyoming | Background Screening | Possession of 3 ounces of marijuana: Yes
Felonious assault: Yes |
Drunk driving: Yes
Petty theft or shoplifting: Yes |
Although being let go or terminating employment will not appear on a background check, it can stay on a person’s permanent record if they committed a crime that caused the firing. When asking the question ‘does getting fired go on your record,’ the answer will always depend on the circumstances, but usually, no.