In the US, yes. “Convicted felon” is not a protected class. Many businesses ask during your application or hiring process if you’ve ever been “convicted of a felony”. The idea is: “we don’t want a thief manning the cash registers!” There’s also the general misconception that “if you’re in, or were in, prison, it’s because you’re a bad person.” But the problem is: they served their debt to society (jail), and innocent people are jailed all the time.

If they were still a threat to society after 5 years or whatever, then they shouldn’t’ve been sentenced to just 5 years. And with innocent people being convicted, the bar to get it fixed is very high because (in some states), you have to not only prove you’re innocence, but that the prosecution messed up (such as withholding evidence). And don’t forget about prosecutorial immunity!

And if it is fixed, how do you answer that question? Yes, you were convicted, but it’s not on your record because you proved your innocence. Yes? No? Answer yes, and you’re denied. Answer no, and when they find out about it, you’re fired, and can only hope your bosses will fight for you and win.

It’s sad really.

Would letting a murderer manning the cash registers be dangerous too?

Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, I don't know.

Presumably if they were let out of prison it's been decided that they are not longer a risk or have paid their debt to society.

So no, convicted murderers should not be prevented from being a cashier, nor any other job they qualify for. At any rate, the best way to steer someone back into crime is to take away their ability to have a job. How else are they supposed to survive?

If he got out of prison than that suggests he's not a serial killer and thus safe to undertake in societal activities, like shopping or manning a cash register. Really the only real to deny a job to a released convict is if their crime directly correlates to the job, I.E. don't hire someone who was convicted for embezzling $200 million as your accountant.

You know the GPs answer to this is No. Perhaps explain why you think it _is_ more dangerous?

Well, if they’re out of prison, then it’s been decided that they’re no longer a threat to society. Because, in a lot of prisons, you can be kept past your date on certain conditions. So why not let them man a register?

I’m not saying you can’t keep a close eye on them. I’m sure a manager would be doing that. What I’m saying is: in America, society has decided that you’re worthless if you go to prison. We try so hard to keep people from reintegrating into the real world, it’s no wonder our recidivism rate is so high.

i applied for employment in a casino in the past, part of the application asked for familial references.

application denied, due to criminal contacts- as in they investigated my familial references and found an extended family member with unsavoury past.

summary- no hire due to the conduct of a person other than yourself

It shouldn't be, but it appears to be almost a core value in some cultures.

Its is for industries that require trust and for company directors.

Ask an Australian.