One consequence of driving under the influence that many people fail to consider is the effects that DWI charges can have on their employment. Not only can driving drunk put your current job in jeopardy, but it can also hinder your ability to get new gigs in the future. Here’s more about the link between DWI charges and your career.

A Guide to Your Career & DWI Charges

What Can Happen With Your Current Job?

Many companies have policies in place that prevent their employees from having DWIs on their records. This means that you could lose your job, even if it’s your first drunk driving offense. This is most often the case for positions that involve driving and other jobs with strict background check policies.

While you are not required to tell your employer about your DWI, you may face other difficulties because of the consequences of the charges. For instance, you would have to tell your employer if you are ordered into a court treatment program that interferes with your work schedule. You may also have to find an alternate way to and from work if you lose your driver’s license.

How DWI Charges Affect Future Jobs

Many employers run criminal background checks on applicants. If you apply for a new job, and your potential employer checks your background, your DWI charges will likely show up. Depending on the workplace’s policies on drunk driving, these charges may or may not affect your chances of getting hired.

Your future employer does have the right to ask about the circumstances of the DWI charges if they show up on a background check. This will give you the opportunity to explain what happened and assure your potential boss that the incident was isolated and not reflective of your work performance. You may also choose to share the story of your drunk driving incident at the beginning of the interview process in order to get ahead of the issue.

Get help handling your DWI charges and learn more about your rights as an employee by contacting Coyne, Cundiff & Hillemann, P.C. in St. Louis, MO. This team of attorneys has more than 75 years of combined experience. They handle a wide variety of legal cases throughout the O’Fallon and Wentzville areas and were voted one of the top three law firms in the county by the St. Charles County Journal®. Find out more about the practice online, and call (636) 561-5599 today to schedule your free initial consultation.