I did not understand that a gap could be meaningful until they day I was face to face with an employee who had just torn the flesh off his knuckles by punching

I did not understand that a gap could be meaningful until they day I was face to face with an employee who had just torn the flesh off his knuckles by punching a brick wall in a fit if rage. He had been coming in late for several days and I was explaining to him he was going to need to focus on coming in on time. It seemed like a very low key chat, held outside so it was private. His response was to fly into an uncontrolled rage, chest heaving, red faced, where he body punched the wall next to us. I was shocked and asked him what was wrong. He explained that he had a problem with negative feedback, but he was getting better. The evidence was he had hit the wall rather than me. As he calmed down he explained that the break in his work record was some years in a mental institution due to assault. I was out if my depth. He was a nice guy but clearly needed more support than I was equipped for. I talked to my boss and the company got in touch with his doctor. I think everyone decided he was not ready for the workplace yet. Other gaps I have seen have been terms in prison, long illnesses, and periods of personal instability. None of those should be a bar from employment but they all indicate a need for appropriate support if an employee is going to be successful.