DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ON THE
BASIS OF CRIMINAL
RECORD
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Submission No. 11 - 'Craig'
Names and details have been changed by the Commission for de-identification purposes
Hi,
first time for me but i would like to make a submission regarding discrimination in employment and social area
10 years ago i had a few convictions for minor theft (shop theft) and even though it was an illness being treated i was treated and am still being treated like a leper.
it seems in australia they crucify you for life for mistakes you make that they maybe are guilty of themselves but never been caught
like how many people falsify their taxes, take goods from work, sign on normally at work when they are late, pilfer food at the market by testing them, seel goods at markets and dont declare the income, work for cash and the list goes on
i applied for many jobs and sometimes was the 'front runner' then for some reason lost out, this was after i was told there would be security checks done and the job didnt involve an area of trust (patrol officer on a truck that repairs holes in roads)
i applied for a job at a local hardware store as a casual salesperson and they know me well and my history, and when i applied was told not to put in as i wasnt the type of person they wanted.
i replied is it because of my criminal record of 10 years ago ?..reply was yes and he said i am being honest at least.
i said but that was 10 years ago and how long does this go on for ?..he pointed to his head to indicate that he doesnt forget.
then he said anyway, i want a female and she has to do cleaning, even though the ad on the window said casual salesperson all rubbish of cause
i have never stolen from work and worked for the railways for 20 years in many positions of honesty and all and even as a security guard and never was doubted with my honesty.
my problem was an illness that dated back to my childhood so the experts told me, but as an adult i think i should deal with it, but its hard sometimes when theres no one there to help.
if i was drug dealer robbing houses and got off drugs things would be different..they would forgive..if i was an alcoholic bashing and killing people and got of alcohol they would forgive..smoking is an addiction and my illness was exactly the same, hard to stop..
in USA ex criminals are given work so i am to believe when they are released, why should it be any different here ??..and the cliche that we are not in USA doesnt work as thats all us Aussies are doing following their examples in many things.
if an ex criminal wants to work why shouldnt he be allowed to ??..there are exceptions of cause and everyone would agree like paedofiles working around kids..not one would disagree
no doubt shopkeepers in my case might be concerned but people have to be given a chance and if they bugger up then its on their shoulders