Got Arrested? Here’s What Your Employer Can (and Can’t) See in Missouri

There is no law that says a person must tell their employer they were arrested. But that doesn’t mean the employer won’t find out. In Missouri, an arrest is part of the public record for the first 30 days after arrest. That means an employer can find out, but whether they will depends on the job, how the arrest is processed, and how closely someone is paying attention.

In certain professions, like healthcare, education, or government, reporting requirements may apply. In other cases, it’s less clear. Regardless, the sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better the opportunity to protect both your record and your job.

Can Police Notify My Employer About Your Arrest?

Police generally do not contact your employer to inform them about your arrest. This is not part of standard law enforcement procedure.

There are only a few specific exceptions:

• Law enforcement employees – Police officers, corrections staff, and related personnel face automatic notification to their departments
• Workplace arrests – If you were arrested at work or for work-related crimes
• Security clearance holders – Government positions requiring clearances have notification protocols
• Licensed professionals – Some licensing boards require immediate arrest reporting, although the requirement is on the license holder, not law enforcement

There is no law that says police cannot notify an arrestee’s employer. But in practice, for almost all workers, the police will not call your employer.

How Employers Actually Discover Arrests

While police won’t call your boss, employers find out through these common ways:

1. You miss work without explanation. This is the most common way employers discover arrests. If you’re in jail and can’t show up for your next scheduled shift, your absence will be noticed.
2. Background checks reveal everything. Many companies run periodic checks on existing employees. Your arrest may appear, even before conviction.
3. Online records are easily searchable. Anyone can look up arrest records online through court databases, jail logs, and local news sites. Some local websites are dedicated to posting arrest records and mugshots. Although arrest records are public records for only 30 days, that is enough time for websites and private companies to capture them – and store or display them forever.
4. Coworkers see news coverage. Local arrests often make the news or appear on social media, especially for serious charges.
5. You need time off for court. Frequent absences for “appointments” raise questions, especially if you can’t explain where you’re going.

In short, there’s no automatic alert sent to your employer — but it doesn’t take much for them to find out. If you’ve been arrested and you’re worried about how it could affect your job, now’s the time to get legal advice.

What Happens to Your Job When You Go to Jail?

In many cases, going to jail may result in losing your job. The majority of employees work “at will,” meaning employers can terminate employment for almost any reason, including incarceration. Your employer has no legal obligation to hold your position while you serve time.

Immediate consequences typically include:

• Termination from your current position
• Loss of income and benefits
• Forfeiture of health insurance coverage
• Potential suspension of professional licenses

Even if you avoid immediate termination, having a criminal record makes finding new employment significantly more difficult upon release. Many employers conduct background checks and may be reluctant to hire someone with a conviction.

Missouri Employment Laws and Your Rights

Understanding what employers can and cannot do protects you from illegal treatment:

What employers CAN do:

• Fire you for being arrested (it’s not a protected status)
• Require you to report arrests if stated in company policy
• Conduct background checks according to company policy
• Refuse to hire you based on arrest records

What employers CANNOT do:

• Discriminate based on race, religion, gender, or other protected characteristics, even if related to your arrest
• Violate existing employment contracts
• Retaliate against you for exercising legal rights, like taking court-ordered time off

The reality of at-will employment is that unless you have a contract or union protection, your employer can terminate you immediately upon learning of your arrest.

Industry-Specific Consequences You Need to Know

Your profession determines how quickly and severely an arrest affects your employment:

Healthcare (nurses, doctors, therapists)

State licensing boards are notified automatically for many arrests, or the license holder may be required to notify the licensing agency.

Financial services (banks, insurance, investments)

FINRA and other regulatory bodies require immediate reporting. Most firms terminate immediately for arrests involving theft, fraud, or dishonesty.

Education (teachers, administrators, support staff)

School districts typically place employees on administrative leave for any arrest involving minors, violence, or drugs.

Transportation (truck drivers, pilots, commercial drivers)

CDL and professional licenses can be suspended immediately for certain arrests, making it impossible to perform your job.

Government employees

Security clearances may be revoked, and administrative leave is standard while investigations proceed.

Professional licenses (lawyers, accountants, real estate agents)

Most licensing boards require immediate reporting and may suspend your license pending case resolution.

7 Steps to Protect Your Job After an Arrest

If you’ve been arrested, follow these steps immediately to maximize your chances of keeping your job:

1. Get out of jail as quickly as possible. Use bail, bond, or whatever means necessary. Every day you’re locked up is another day you can’t work and another day your employer wonders where you are.
2. Contact work immediately. Claim a family emergency, or use personal time. Don’t lie, but don’t volunteer details. “I have a personal matter I’m dealing with” is sufficient.
3. Show up to work if you can. The best way to keep your job is to keep doing it. If you’re released, go to work. Act normal. Don’t give anyone reason to ask questions.
4. Use all available leave for court dates. Take vacation days, personal time, or unpaid leave for court appearances. Schedule hearings for early morning or late afternoon to minimize work disruption.
5. Don’t tell coworkers anything. Office gossip travels fast. The fewer people who know, the better.
6. Review your employee handbook tonight. Know your company’s policies about criminal charges. Some require immediate reporting of arrests or charges, others don’t. Understanding the rules helps you make better decisions.
7. Get a lawyer immediately. The faster your case gets resolved favorably, the less chance your employer finds out. Your attorney may be able to get charges reduced or dismissed before anyone at work discovers the arrest.

Protecting Your Career While Fighting Your Charges

We understand that criminal charges threaten more than your freedom — they can destroy your career and financial security. That’s why we focus on outcomes that protect your entire life, not just keep you out of jail.

We dedicate our practice exclusively to criminal defense. Our team includes experienced attorneys, client care specialists, and an investigator who work together to minimize both legal penalties and employment consequences.

The sooner you contact us, the more opportunities you have to protect your job while building your defense. Fast case resolution often means your employer never finds out about the arrest.

Contact Rose Legal Services today for a confidential consultation.

Your defense starts with a conversation.