Job Discussion Forums

mr.cheeks · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 15 Location: Phnom Penh

Hello, i have been teaching English in Thailand for around 3 years and have saved up enough money to go to Prague and do my TEFL course.

After booking the course however i have now found out that having a couple of minor convictions (Affray - Community Service and Criminal Damage - Fine) may rule me out to work at all in the Czech Republic. Obviously a criminal records check was never asked for in Thailand so i'm pretty peeved to have just learnt this.

Are there any countries in the region where i may still be able to find work?

My convictions were from 7 and 9 years ago. I have really enjoyed my teaching experience and would like to continue in central and eastern Europe.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

You might take a look at this recent thread: "What countries do/don't do background checks?" http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=107098

mr.cheeks · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 15 Location: Phnom Penh

Thanks, yeah, i was just reading that thread. My question is more specific to central and eastern Europe, just wondering if anyone can share their experiences? Are they strict in asking for background checks in Slovakia, Slovenia etc

mr.cheeks · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 15 Location: Phnom Penh

Also, where would they want a criminal records check from? Thailand? I am from the UK originally, but i haven't been there for years!

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Try the General Europe forum for better responses.

desertdawg · Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Posts: 206

In the UK there are spent convictions where the slate is wiped clean after seven years.

Try and check with the UK police authorities. There are also two types of checks. One that shows spent convictions and another which doesn't. Again the UK police would be your best source of info.

Good luck!

mr.cheeks · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 15 Location: Phnom Penh

If you have more than one conviction, i believe they ALL stay on your record. In certain countries it seems that schools will consider your case individually. Am i right in thinking that teachers with any sort of criminal history will NOT be able to find work in central/eastern Europe? Is there still a chance that i may not be asked for my background check in countries like Czech Republic? Where will they want my check from? The local police of my home town? Or the police in the country in which i have been living for the last few years?

Thanks again for your guidance.

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

In my personal experience, they have always wanted it from your country of passport.

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jonniboy · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 5:09 pm Post subject:

It depends on your nationality. If you have an EU passport, I think it's very unlikely that most countries in central or eastern Europe will bother to do background checks.

3701 W.119th · Joined: 26 Feb 2014 Posts: 386 Location: Central China

As a UK passport holder, you should request a criminal background check from disclosurescotland.co.uk (costs £25, very easy to do). It only lists unspent convictions.

Timescales for a conviction to be considered 'spent':

Archie Rice · Joined: 13 Feb 2013 Posts: 45

I wouldn't worry. I've been working in Central Europe for the last three years and never once have I been asked about this stuff. Maybe they have checked without me knowing (I have a clean record) but honestly I would bet my imaginary mortgage that they haven't.

As long as you are presentable and professional and a capable teacher they aren't remotely interested in your past.