Is Criminal Record Holding You Back Professionally? Michelle Baron

Is Criminal Record Holding You Back Professionally? Michelle Baron

Author: Africa Business Radio September 1, 2018 Duration: 24:21
Michelle Baron-Williamson, CEO of Managed Integrity Evaluation, joins us to discuss what to do if you think your criminal record is hindering you professionally.
Securing a job in South Africa today is tough for many. Latest figures from Stats SA indicate that unemployment has increased to 27.2% for the second quarter of the year (from 26.7%) – where hiring organizations are more cautious than optimistic about growth in the economy, their markets, and their businesses. Hiring someone with a criminal record is often just not an option.

According to Michelle Baron-Williamson, CEO of Managed Integrity Evaluation (MIE), “In times of instability and evolving change, such as we are experiencing now, businesses particularly tend to become more risk adverse to their gainful investment, including in their people, and take a more inspective and discretionary approach to hire. As a result, we are seeing increasing investment into comprehensive background screening solutions to assist businesses in mitigating against the potential risk of an inappropriate candidate being hired. And if a candidate is found to have a criminal record, his or her job application may not be viewed favorably.”

MIE research shows that uptake of background screening services has grown by 6.77% in the last five years and criminal record screening remains the most frequently requested check by our clients in South Africa. In 2017 alone, the company conducted over seven-hundred-thousand criminal checks, of which 9.91% were found to have a criminal or pending criminal record; from violent crimes to theft and narcotics offenses, crimes against the state, white collar, and other crimes.

“The fact is, having a criminal record – no matter how small or ‘insignificant’ the offense may seem – will haunt a candidate professionally. Just like being ‘blacklisted’ or being recorded as a bad creditor can severely lessen a consumer’s chances of securing credit; having a criminal record could significantly impact

---

Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/africanperspective/support

Tune into African Perspective for a grounded and detailed exploration of the continent's economic currents, brought to you by Africa Business Radio. This isn't just headlines; it's a deep dive into the mechanics, opportunities, and narratives shaping markets from Casablanca to Cape Town. Each episode moves between the granular details of a rising tech startup in Lagos and the broader, interconnected macroeconomic policies affecting trade across the 55 African Union member states. You'll hear analysis that connects local innovation to regional trends and global investment flows, offering a nuanced picture often missing from international coverage. The African Perspective podcast is built for professionals, investors, and anyone curious about the real drivers of business on the continent, providing context and insight that goes beyond the surface. By focusing on both the emerging ventures and the larger financial stories, the show paints a complete portrait of a dynamic economic landscape in constant evolution. Listen for authentic voices and expert commentary that make sense of a complex and rapidly changing environment.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

African Perspective
Podcast Episodes
Who is JJ Omojuwa, Really? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:11
Wikipedia describes him as a Nigerian blogger, author, public speaker, socio-economic, political commentator, and social media expert, Japheth Joshua Omojuwa is all these and much more. On this intimate chat, Soji Akinla…
Episode 9 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:59
Latest episode of African Perspectives --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/africanperspective/support
Upcoming Regional High Policy Dialogue on Transforming Agriculture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:41
The Mandela Institute of Development Studies Programme Director, Ian Mashingaidze and the Graca Machel trust Nutrition Programme Manager Rachel Toku-Appiah set the stage for the Regional High Policy Dialogue on Transform…
GAP Medical Winner. GAP Innovation Competition 2018 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:50
GAP Medical WinnerDentroverThis is a Mobile dental unit targeted for the ease of access of remote and under-privileged communities.--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/africanperspective/support