Dear Melissa,
There are three kinds of bonds that most employers might be concerned with:
- Fidelity Bonds
- contract bonds
- license bonds.
When they ask you if you are bondable, most employers are asking if there is "criminal" background that might make them at risk for theft should you be hired.
Essentially a bond is an insurance policy the employer pays for with an insurance carrier who pays the employer for thefts that can be traceable directly to you. This is a Fidelity Bonds.
The contract bond is a guarantee against failed projects or contracts.
A licensed bond, for example what is required for private investigators in Canada, must be posted in order for the license to remain in effect.
Your bond will be either a fidelity bond, or most likely a licensed bond.
There are several kinds of bonds. You can post your own bond if you like by contacting an insurance carrier.
The fidelity bonds are more concerned with larceny, capital and violent crimes, and credit histories more than they are concerned with a DWI. a DWI charge should not affect your bondability unless your job has to do with driving. However, if is a serious offense in Canada.
It will be a judgment call if it will affect your bondability by either not making you bondible, or increasing the cost of the bond because of perceived increased risk.
You might consider getting your own bond, so that you can then answer the question that you are bonded.
YOUR PAYMENT AND BONUS IF ANY MAY BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Edward M. Johnson