Most states in the U.S. have very strict rules about DUI. The penalties can be severe, even for first-time offenders, including license suspension, heavy fines, and jail time that will stay in your record for many years. Repeated DUI violations can lead to even more sanctions, penalties, and a long prison sentence.
Even if you’ve only been convicted of a misdemeanor for driving under the influence and not a felony, your employment prospects may head downhill. Many employers do background checks to help them find suitable candidates. If a DUI is among the violations, it narrows your chances of getting a job.
Consequences of a DUI conviction in hiring
Under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers cannot discriminate against an applicant or employee with a criminal record unless there is a genuine business reason for doing so. However, this only applies to public sector jobs in other positions this law is mostly not enforced. Many employers do not like to hire such people because of the suspicion that they may be addicted to alcohol or drugs. Furthermore, this could mean that the person could be late to work, violate rules, or even create a dangerous situation in the workplace.
Hiring on the railroad
Employers are less likely to hire an employee with DUI issues for a job related to transportation. Popular railroad jobs such as signalman, conductor, and engineer require that the candidate have no history of DUI problems. Because this kind of work requires a high level of attention and concentration, as malfunctions can lead to disastrous results. There is even a Rule G for this.
Rule G sets the blood alcohol content (BAC) allowed for railroad workers to work at 0.00 (i.e., ZERO). Rule G is strict of the fact that drinking alcohol before or during work can seriously affect a railroad worker’s ability to maintain a safe work environment. It impairs judgment, slows reaction time, and can jeopardize the safety of railroad employees, co-workers, passengers, and society in general. Numerous railroad accidents occur by an employee who was drinking alcohol at the time of the incident.
Acceptance with a DUI on the railroad
If you meet all the requirements and you had a DUI violation two years ago or later, there’s a chance that the employer will hire you on the railroad. This works in most states, but it’s worth remembering that a DUI violation is a stigma that may stick around, and you’ll want your employers to know about it. So hiring you is dependent on your employer’s decision.
Getting hired with a DUI on a railroad in Virginia
A first-time DUI violation in Virginia is a serious offense where one can face a maximum of 12 months in jail and a minimum penalty of $250 to $2,500. This may make it very difficult to find a job within the first year, but after two years there is a chance to find a job under the railroad’s rules.
The most common positions are conductor, switchman, or wagon master. Each railroad company has its own hiring policy, and the following factors will be taken into consideration when hiring a worker with DUI: length of time since conviction, circumstances of the crime, number of convictions, and length of work experience since conviction. It means that if you have a single DUI offense with a BAC of 0.15 or less, the employer can hire you in Virginia. To do this, employees must strongly prove a wish to work and comply with the exact rules, one of which is Rule G.
However, a lot depends on your employer, what they think of you, and the degree of DUI violation. Your other qualities, work experience, and education received will help.