[vka45]

Hi, I’m just out of college and have been working at a public accounting firm in California as an auditor for a few months. Although I had a 6 month internship with this firm before graduation, I have no other accounting experience. I was pulled over last week after having a few beers and driving, and am currently being charged with a DUI. I’ve discussed my case with my attorney, and he says that at the very minimum I will be losing my license for 30 days. My job requires a lot of traveling to client sites, and the employee handbook requires we notify HR of any license suspensions. I am scared at this point to tell HR because my case has not gone to court and I am not sure what time frame I will even be losing my license. Once I find out the details of my case, I am planning on informing management and HR, and am preparing myself for any repercussions. I am hoping they can place me on clients closer to our office during the 30 day suspension, and I would be able to make it to work via rides from family/friends. But I understand it will all depend on the needs of their business. Does anyone have any experience with a case similar to mine? How likely is it that they will choose to fire me instead of rearranging my schedule? I am scared I won’t be able to find another job because of my limited experience coupled with the DUI. Before this arrest, I had a clean record and not even any driving infractions. I have learned a life lesson and will never be repeating this mistake.

[mla1169]

Since you already know you'll be losing your license for some period of time, and I'm guessing you don't have your license currently, I'd say you need to tell HR now, especially since they say as much in the handbook. Hopefully you won't lose your job, and hope lesson learned!

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I'm in Virginia, but a friend of mine who got a DUI a few years back was allowed to drive to and from work on a suspended license. Are you sure you won't be able to do that?

[kham619]

vka45,

If I were you, I would wait until the dust settles before I tell HR. If you act now, you can lose your job without hearing what the courts have to say.

[vka45]

I currently have my license. My attorney said that once the court case is settled with the DMV I will definitely lose my license for 30 days, and then for about 4 months afterwards I will have a license with a restriction that allows me to drive only for work purposes.

[Anonymous]

Ouch. I'm so sorry man. I can emphasize with you because I have 2 DUIs myself.

From what I've learned:

1) don't trust lawyers

2) be honest with your company

I've been very lucky to have the support of my firm so far. You will likely be missing work here and there to attend court meetings. What was your BAC? If it was .10 or below, I would highly recommend fighting it; there's a good chance it will be reduced to a wet and reckless, which is a less strict charge.

Keep your HR updated on the progress — but be sure to let them know you are working diligently to get a restricted license, and that in the meantime, you will do whatever it takes to get to client sites.

In CA, a DUI stays on your record for 10 years.This does not look good when you're applying for your CPA license or even worse, applying for a new job. I'd do whatever it takes to fight it and try to get it lowered to the wet and reckless I was discussing earlier.

Good luck friend

[vka45]

Thanks CannotPassAgain,

I did a blood test, and the results haven't come back yet. I'm hoping it is below .10 so I can get the Wet & Reckless instead. But we won't find out for a couple weeks. In the meantime, all I can do is sit and wait to see what happens. My firm has their own insurance policy that covers us during work hours, and the policy & procedures of the firm state that every employee must be eligible for coverage under the work insurance. I am really hoping that management decides to keep me around, the company insurance does not drop me due to higher risk, and I do not get fired. I just cannot believe something like this has happened just as soon as I finished school and started working full time. If I tell HR now, will they be obligated to inform my managers?

[Author]

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