During John's interview for a job as a construction worker, he was asked if he had any previous convictions. Not wanting to lie, John admitted that 20 years earlier, when he was 19, he was convicted of assault and given a suspended sentence. Owing to his disclosure, John was not hired. In light of these facts, which of the following statements is TRUE?

a. As John voluntarily answered the employer's question about his previous conviction, the employer did not act improperly

b. An employer has a right to refuse to hire a criminal but only if the crime was a serious offence and the criminal was successfully charged and convicted

c. By asking about and refusing to hire John owing to his previous criminal convictions, the employer did not act contrary to the British Columbia Human Rights Code as the absence of a criminal record is a bona fide occupational requirement

d. The employer was within his rights to ask John about previous convictions as an employer always has the legal right to know the character of the people they employ

e. By asking about and refusing to hire John owing to his previous criminal convictions, the employer likely acted contrary to the British Columbia Human Rights Code