A handicapped person no problem, an ex con it depends on what he was convicted of and how many times he's been to jail. If he's been to jail on a drug related charge I would give serious consideration before hiring them. They would have to have very good references as to how long they've been clean and how long they've been out of jail. Similarly, if they were convicted of theft, robbery, burglary, or larceny then I would be hesitant. Also, violent crimes would give me pause. To tell the truth, any conviction would give me pause. I'd have to have some serious references before I'd agree to give them a shot.

Yes, everyone deserves a second chance.

Yes I would and do. Everyone needs a job..Handicaps or past mistakes should never keep one from having the chance to support themselves.

it depends on what my "company" is...do i sell weapons, surveillence equipment, or work at a prison? then im most likely not going to hire an ex con... do i lift very heavy items, climb to alot of areas for along period of time, do i work in a very extreme weather environment, or with alot of chemicals, depending on the handicap there are alot of jobs that people with certain handicaps can not do whatsoever so depending on the job, what the ex-con has done, and the handicap of the person i may or may not hire them

Within reason sure. If someone was handicapped to the extent that they physically just 'cant' do the work required, then I wouldn't hire them (For example, if I ran a sports training thing, and I was hiring trainers, it's unlikely I'd hire a Quadraplegic or something, because they wouldn't be physically capable of the work {Not their fault, but it's just the truth : / }) Ex-Convicts I don't have a problem with, -within reason-, I'm all for giving people a good chance at getting their life together again, so if they are minor charges or whatever, sure I'd hire them if they were otherwise well qualified. If they were guilty of a premeditated murder, then I'd -never- hire them, as murder is to me, beyond description in just how horrific a crime it is. Rape or Theft or something I 'might' hire them, if they were otherwise very well qualified, and showed clearly that they had changed their ways, etc. Drug-related crimes, if they were clean now, I'd hire them (again, if they were otherwise qualified for the job, obviously) no problems at all. *shrugs* I wouldn't care so much about who I hired unless they were incapable of doing the work, posed a real threat somehow, or were guilty of murder. (Honestly, if someone murdered someone else, even if they had -obviously- changed their ways, I would almost definitely never hire them, just because of how strongly I feel about murder)

I don't have a company but if I did, I don't think I would discriminate. Now, the ex-convict could not be a murderer because I would have a hard time getting relaxed around a killer. As far as a handicapped person goes, as long as they can perform the job, it's theirs.

Theoretically, in both cases, yes. Practically, it would have to be if there was a position that suited them. THe handicapped are no problems. The ex-con could be, but it must be remembered that not all ex-cons were horrible nasty people who are going to cut your throats from behind. Sometimes people make mistakes, and need a second chance. I have two friends who have been in jail. Both should not have been there- neither was a violent person. One was stupid and allowed himself to be set up (the real criminals got away with it) and the other was sucked into a scheme where he was left holding the bag. Both took their sentences gracefully, and both are back on the outside now, attempting to lead normal lives.

At my office we have a gentleman with a traumatic brain injury who comes in to do our shredding and filing on a contract basis. We have a blind social worker/advocate. We have a woman with cerebral palsy on our board of directors. We have another advocate with dyslexia, and a supervisor who has bi-polar disorder. We have 3 diabetics and 2 with rheumatoid arthritis. The security guard has a seizure disorder. We have someone who was convicted of DUI and served time. People with disabilities should be hired just like anyone else - on the basis of their ability to do the job. People with convictions are an entirely different matter. I would have to be convinced that they were able to do the job and that they could be trusted.

For handicapped - if they're the best person for the position. I do not discriminate for handicapped persons, but I still want the best person for that position. For the ex-convict, it would depend upon the position; I would not hire a bank robber for a bank teller's position. However, if I had a position not involving money transactions (or knowledge of any), I would consider that person, along with others, and hire the best person for that person. Having been in a position to hire many different people, for many different positions I have found that you need to consider each & every qualified applicant. Sometimes what appear to be the most qualified (on paper) is not so, and sometimes the best employees I've had were from "dubvious" backgrounds. Its very hard to determine the best person to hire, but I've learned the hard way that many people are not worth the paper their resumes are written on and some of the best ones are the ones that are "hard-hires".

I am a excon. I did 3.5 years in the Arizona dept of corrections. I have a job, and I have not been in trouble with the law since my release. People that dont trust excon's are the reason that excons remain cons. If no one is willing to give them a shot at anything to get their lives back on track. Dont get me wrong, some convicts are convicts for life. Most are doing life in installments. but not all of them.

When I owned my own businsess I hired the handicapped and paid them the same I paid my other employees..they may have been slower but their work was always up to par..they didn't complain,steal,were never late,and weren't lazy.

Have, would, will.

See, I was lucky cause I have a support system. My wife waited for me while I was locked up and had my first born. Now I have another boy that will be 2. I did all my stupid stuff before I turned 19. I met my wife when I was 19 and she straighten my butt out. But my past caught up with me. And that happens to alot of kids that party and do stuff when they are young. Then when they least expect it, it comes back.

yes...yes. But why does my opinion matter? I'm an ex con ive been out since 2002 which was a drug charge 1st offense. I've been clean no trouble or anything. My first year out i couldnt even get a job unless it was under the table. Just to keep it short I've been for this company for almost 2 years as a temp. My assignment end 2 days ago due to "not meet high rank criteria". Thought everything was going well i was actually getting somewhere and my daughter is now 6 months old. I'm only 24. What happened to getting 2nd chances? why the hell should i goto school and get a education when i cant even get a damn job to pay for tuition. theres no financial aid available to ex cons especially with a drug charge. damn community wonder why theres so many repeat offenders. im not asking for sympathy just want some people to know how its like in my shoes. i'm very professional in the work environment and excellent with communications and i get along with everyone! but 2nd chance.. noones going to give us second chances Take the second chance shit and shove it up your ass! i hate fakers especially ones who say they would hire ex cons or dont have a problem depending on the situation. pure fuckin bullshit! once convicted we dont have no damn rights.

Yes! everybody deserves a chance in this harsh life...especially ex cons depending on their previous form :) my little criminal record hasn't done me any favours in the past but i always divulge this and has never stopped me from getting a good job...people need a break regardless of background and disbility.