can you get fired if you had theft charges 16 yrs ago?

Yes..if you tell them at work. If they didn't find the theft charge during your application and reference , background check then I'd say no.

Your question presumes that a person is already an employee.

"Charges" are not "convictions. Police contacts, arrests and accusations are not convictions and are none of a private industry employer's business. Convictions are a finding of guilt. In PA they can ask you about arrests.

If you lied on your job application and said you had no theft convictions, your employer could now discipline or fire you for it, depending upon their policies. I can't imagine your being denied unemployment benefits, tho, if you explain that you misunderstood your reporting obligation.

In PA it is illegal to deny someone a job because of a prior felony or misdemeanor conviction unless it relates to a particular occupation. (An obvious example: a person with a conviction for child sexual abuse should not be working in a daycare center.) 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. section 9125. If you are denied a job because of a conviction, you are entitled to a written explanation. 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. section 9124(d) and 9125(c).

No, not unless you have been stealing from your current employer and the hidden camera caught you on tape. If none of the above happened and you never told any of your nosy co-workers that 16 years ago you had a theft charges, then your job is safe. Unless of course there is a back ground check and you fail to answer all questions truthfully.

Exhale and get back to work.

If you disclosed this when you were hired, then no.. they accepted you then and, assuming that this is not related to new charges based on the old crime, they have waived their right to fire you for that.

BUT..

if you concealed it (assuming they asked you) or if you lied about it to them when they asked, then your job is potentially at risk. Lying on a job application is always grounds for dismissal.

sometimes you get hired before they finish the background check. after they complete the check, they could fire you. in the mean time, prove yourself...never be late...go above and beyond what's it expected and hopefully, they will consider that.

what state do you live in? laws are different in other state.. In florida they only goes back 7years