Ex-offenders seeking jobs can find a listing of employers that hire those with criminal records helpful in their job search. Most companies that state their hiring policies make hiring decisions on a case-by-case basis depending on the individual's qualifications.
Military
A long-standing employer of ex-offenders, branches of the military often grant waivers to ex-offenders wishing to join the military. Certain crimes don't qualify for a waiver and in those cases, ex-offenders aren't allowed to join the military. These include rape and any sexual assault, larceny, assault, drug-related crimes, and murder.
Fast Food and Coffee Shop Chains
Some fast food chains hire ex-offenders. It depends on the state and whether the restaurant is a corporate or a franchise. The type of crime for the conviction also determines eligibility for hire.
McDonalds
Help For Felons reports that some McDonalds hire ex-offenders, while others don't. This depends on whether the restaurant is corporate owned/operated or is a franchise. Another factor governing these policies is state law. Some states prevent companies from hiring ex-offenders.
Burger King
According to the long statement Burger King provided Successful Release, Burger King hires ex-offenders. The website verified past hires of ex-offenders. However, just like McDonalds, you'll discover these fast food restaurants are mostly franchises and owners may have a different hiring policy.
Dairy Queen
Jobs for Felons Online verified that Dairy Queen does hire felons and has hired in the past. However, individual restaurants may not based on state laws or the franchise owner.
Starbucks
Starbucks hires ex-offenders. According to Successful Release, the company states its policy for hiring ex-offenders is decided by an Adjudication Committee. Starbucks has hired ex-offenders in the past.
Big Box Stores
Some big box stores hire ex-offenders. There are certain crimes that make an ex-offender ineligible for hire. Each applicant is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Walmart
According to Successful Release, Walmart hires ex-offenders. An ex-offender isn't permitted to work where firearms are used. It was verified that Walmart has hired ex-offenders in the past.
Sam's Club
Sam's Club hires ex-offenders. The company provided a statement to Successful Release about hiring convicted felons. It was verified that Sam's Club has hired ex-offenders in the past. The company further stated that each hiring decisions is based on the individual.
Trader Joe's
Successful Release verified that Trader Joe's doesn't discriminate against convicted felons. The company has hired felons in the past.
Other Companies and Industries
You aren't limited retail or the food industry if you are released and look for work.
Google states on its website, "We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements."
American Airlines
According to Successful Release, in a statement given to the website by American Airlines, the company considers qualifications and doesn't discriminate against ex-offenders. Successful Release verified past felon hires by American Airlines.
Online Jobs
You may find an online job the ideal fit. Many of these positions hire ex-offenders. You can check out a few places that serve as a clearinghouse to connect those seeking online employees and those seeking online jobs.
IntelliZoomPanel
IntelliZoomPanel is a site offering opportunities to participate in paid studies. The studies take between five to twenty minutes. You participate by using your computer. You'll need a working computer microphone and webcam since some studies will require recording your responses. These are recorded as well as your demographic information, hardware inputs and computer screen outputs. This information is turned over to the company conducting the study. You are paid via Paypal, so you'll need to set up a Paypal account.
Upwork
An online website, Upwork helps freelancers and other online workers connect with those employers needing workers. Most of the opportunities are time-specific projects, while others offer long-term and ongoing contract work. You will work out the details of your project with the hiring company. The website serves as a clearinghouse and not an intermediary.
Amazon Mechanical Turk
Amazon Mechanical Turk is a marketplace that allows companies and individuals to crowdsource jobs and various processes for virtual workers. The jobs can be data validation or research. You may be asked to participate in a survey or content moderation. You're paid either by piece or per batch. Your pay can be different per batch. The tasks can be repetitive and you need good 10-key skills.
Temporary Agencies
You may want to seek employment with a temporary agency, especially if you're unsure what type of work you want. Some jobs are just for one day while others may be for weeks or months. This type of position offers you the opportunity to try different jobs and get an inside view of a company. Some jobs are temp-to-perm, meaning if all works well, you will eventually transition into an employee with the company you're temporarily assigned.
People Ready
People Ready has all types of jobs available. Some are in material handling, merchandise stock, and construction. If you have general or skilled labor you can likely find work. Other positions often include food service and janitorial jobs. Some employers request felon workers as part of their EEOC initiative.
Manpower
Manpower is a long-standing temporary agency offering jobs in aerospace, defense, military, administrative office, call center, marketing, manufacturing, industrial, and skilled labor. According to Second Chance Jobs for Felons, Manpower hires felons. All hiring decisions are made on an individual basis of qualifications and experience along with type and number of convictions and time since release.
Adecco
Adecco is a well-known temporary agency offering a wide range of jobs in administrative office, call center, marketing, manufacturing, industrial, clerical, medicine, and many other industries. Successful Release states the Adecco considers qualified individuals with arrest and/or conviction records and found records of such hires.
Tips for Finding Local Companies
You can find local companies privately owned or non-profits that hire ex-offenders. You will most likely find these through word-of-mouth. Ask those you know about any possible job openings. You can contact outreach agencies and groups for guidance and referrals. A local church, synagogue or other religious organization. You can join a group of interest, such as hiking or a book club and network to establish contacts within the community.
Ready to Work Initiative
After signing the First Step Act into law, President Trump continued his prison reform efforts with the Ready to Work Initiative. This program was launched by the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Prisons in June 2019.
- Among other things, the Department of Labor awarded over $2 million to state governments to support fidelity bonds to be used to underwrite the companies hiring ex-offenders.
- In conjunction with this effort, the Department of Education expanded Pell Grants so they can be awarded to inmates. These grants allow incarcerated individuals to prepare for work once released.
- Other aids include USAJOBS (federal government job listings) open to ex-offenders.
- Also, the presidential administration works with the private sector and non-profits to further opportunities for ex-offenders.
Finding Employers That Hire Ex-Offenders
With the social and political focus on hiring ex-offenders, there are more opportunities for those being released. Many ex-offenders are able to take advantage of the second chance being offered through proactive legislature and prison reform.
