Workers with a Difficult Job History

Sometimes employers are reluctant to hire workers they view as risky. Those workers tend to present some current or past concern that gives an employer cause to question their credibility or honesty.

For example, employers might be concerned about hiring workers who:

• Have a record of arrest, conviction or imprisonment
• Are economically disadvantaged youth or young adults
• Have a history of alcohol or drug abuse
• Have poor credit history
• Are welfare recipients
• Have a dishonorable military discharge
• Lack suitable employment history
• Are unable to secure employment without being bonded

Bonding

Fidelity Bonding offers some assurance to employers who would like to take the risk out of hiring. It is no-cost employee insurance that protects employers against employee theft of money or property.

The Minnesota Federal Bonding Service provides individual Fidelity Bonds to employers for new or current employees who may be denied coverage by commercial carriers.

Employers, not job seekers, apply for these bonds. However, it is useful for job seekers to know about the program, since they can bring the bonds to the attention of a potential employer.

Nationally, more than 40,000 bonds have been issued. Only about 1 percent of those bonds have had claims filed against them.