Applying for a position at a train firm (failed previous alcohol test)

[HilaryD]

12 years ago I was working for a train company in North London train dispatching. I had been working there 5 years.
The night before I had had a few at a party and came into work the next day.
I was called in along with 4 others to do a random Alcohol and drugs test which I failed as I was over the alcohol limit for a safety critical position and was dismissed.
I have never really recovered financially since and have bounced from job to job.
Its now 2011 and I'm thinking of applying for another dispatch role.
I vaguely remember that after 5 years I could apply again and my past transgression would not be held against me.
Will the new company I want to apply for, have my details from my past position as a dispatcher to file ?
Do the different train companies share information on a national database ?
Like atoc ?

 

[E&W Lucas]

Will the new company I want to apply for, have my details from my past position as a dispatcher to file ?
Do the different train companies share information on a national database ?
Like atoc ?

Yes, there will be a record that you have been dismissed for alcohol related misconduct. I know someone who made the same mistake. He was allowed to resign his employment, but it was on the understanding that things had been put in place that would prevent him from ever working in the industry again. ie if he applied, the facts of his case would come out.

I doubt that anyone would be willing or able to employ you, I'm afraid.

 

[HilaryD]

I was told that after 5 years, I might apply again.
Who holds this information ?
This was in 1999.
Perhaps, the records don't go back that far...
If I don't tell them about my previous employment, is there a chance it might get overlooked ?

 

[scotsman]

I was told that after 5 years, I might apply again.
Who holds this information ?
This was in 1999.
Perhaps, the records don't go back that far...
If I don't tell them about my previous employment, is there a chance it might get overlooked ?

Management check on here too, if they'd come across this I doubt they'd be a) impressed and b) willing to overlook it or not pass it on to their recruitment staff

 

[AlexS]

I was told that after 5 years, I might apply again.
Who holds this information ?
This was in 1999.
Perhaps, the records don't go back that far...
If I don't tell them about my previous employment, is there a chance it might get overlooked ?

If you don't tell them and you get found out, you'll be summarily dismissed, I would imagine. It's a fairly big risk to take!

 

[tagzy]

If you deceive them you'll be living in fear for as long as you have the job! Honesty is the best policy.

 

[jimrbrobinson]

Not to mention that failing to disclose it , could theoretically result in prosecution if you successfully applied and took another post and it later came out. Not worth the risk of deception. From what I've been hearing, more and more companies are taking legal action over deceptions these days, especially to recover training costs.

 

[185]

I would write speculatively to all train companies you are interested in firstly. I know that several staff who failed mediscreen are still working on the railway to this day, which begs the question, is it less important to turn up bladdered at one train company than another?

As a manager, I once escorted someone home from the Conductor training course at York who was drunk from the night before, back to his home address near Preston. That train company still employs him.

 

[Eddie]

Hi hilary ..i am sure that if you have worked in the rail industry before there will be some record of your past service and the reason for your dismissal ..
I am also sure that TOC's would share information ..it's in their best interest to find out as much as possible about new staff ..
If and when you get an interview just be honest from the start , and if what you say about the 5 year cooling off period still stands and they want to employ you ...they will be taking you on knowing your mistake happened over 10 years ago ..also if you dont go for the job and see it to the end you will never know if it was possible at all ..good luck with your application ..regards eddie .