The Keywords Studios job candidate is suing a company in the US over allegations that it used previous convictions against it

A prospective job candidate at Keywords Studios’ Burlingame offices challenged the company’s withdrawal of a conditional job offer.

The candidate said he was offered a position as a VR game tester in late 2021 to identify bugs or other issues in games.

The offer was withdrawn, he said, after the company found out he had been convicted of drug abuse. He argues that this violates California’s Fair Chance Act, which prevents companies from asking applicants to disclose convictions.

“We are confident in our policies and processes and that we have followed due process in accordance with local laws, so we will defend ourselves through the appropriate legal channels,” a company spokeswoman said.

The candidate was convicted in 2016 of forging a prescription and procuring narcotics for his own use.

He said he had been rehabbed four years and was off parole and his conviction was irrelevant.