Do Employers Have to Hire Felons?

Hi Eric, 

I was just wondering if you have any recent experience with a few of the companies on your website with regards to hiring felons. I was offered 2 positions, one by Comcast and one by Xerox, and they both declined the offer after the background check came back. My conviction is over 8 years old and had nothing to do with the positions I was being hired for. 

I have my second interview tomorrow with American Express and really don't want to got through the same disappointment. American Express asked the question about conviction on the applicant, whereas the other two companies did not. American Express still called and is taking me through the interview process, so I was just wondering if you had any insight into their company policy and if I would have any recourse against American Express if they declined the offer after the background check is conducted, since I fully disclosed everything on my application upon applying. 

I'm located in Florida, if that helps. 

Thanks!

 Do Employers Have to Hire Felons?

Hello,

Unfortunately I meet ex-offenders and felons who misunderstand what is meant by companies that hire ex-offenders and felons.  Just because a company has a policy that allows for the hiring of people with criminal records, doesn't mean that will hire all felons.  Always the nature of the conviction will be considered.

It is my experience that anyone with a conviction that involves any type of theft, fraud or robbery has a very difficult time landing a job that involves trust on any level.  Also any type of assault (aggravated or sexual) will create a difficult challenge.  Difficult does not mean impossible.  Ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs should apply for every job they feel qualified for.  They have to make the most of every opportunity to get hired.

As for having legal recourse against any company that refuses to hire you,  you have none.  Any company is free to hire or not anyone it chooses.  There is no law that states that felons have a right to a job.  Employers have a responsibility to hire the best person available.

There is a movement in this country to help make getting jobs for felons a lot easier.  The federal government is also pitching in with programs that can help ex-offenders and felons get jobs.  You can find more about them here:

I hope this helps.  Jobs for Felons: Government Help For Felons Looking for Jobs

Jobs for Felons: The Facts about Companies that Hire Ex offenders and Felons (2019)

Do Employers Have to Hire Felons?

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Mom in Texas is a Felon and Needs to find Employment

I saw your online blog and I enjoyed it. I'm currently on 3 years deferred adjudication for a felony drug charge. I'm in need of a local job in my area, but haven't really been able to find one who will hire me with a felony charge. I'm currently serving the 3 years right now and will have only 2 years left come November. I live in Alvin, TX 77511. I do not have a driver license and am kind of stuck. I have 3 small children and a husband who seems to have trouble with budgeting.

Please help if you can. I admit that I am desperate because I also have an open CPS case and they require that I get a job. I need the money to pay for daycare and groceries for my children. My husband is sick at the moment and has been unable to attend work all this week. We are behind in our rent and bills as well. A job will allow me to help pay and go grocery shopping. I understand budgeting money better than my husband, but a job will help me teach him in the process of taking care of the house, bills, and children.


Please help me to get a job. One that will hire a person on deferred adjudication for a felony drug charge. I'm definitely desperate right now.

Sincerely,


Safiyah

Mom in Texas is a Felon and Needs to find Employment

Hello Safiyah,

I'm sorry you're are having such a hard time finding work.  The thing to understand about deferred adjudication is, that it will come up as a conviction until the terms of the deferment has been met (typically a fine and probation.)

Regular readers of my blog know the first suggestion I make to ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs is to make a visit to their nearest One-stop Career center. There you will find counselors who offer career guidance. Often these counselors have experience working with people with criminal records. You can find out what career options are available to you based on your convictions. There are many other services there that can prepare you for a new career as well as listings of jobs in your immediate area.

You can find the One-stop Career Center nearest you at:


Workforce Solutions - Astrodome
Comprehensive Center

9315 Stella Link Road Houston, TX 77025-4012

Workforce Solutions - Texas City
Comprehensive Center

3549 Palmer Highway Texas City, TX 77590

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Where Ex-offenders and Felons Can Find Jobs 

Another resource in your area is Goodwill Houston.  Goodwill has been helping ex-offenders and felons find jobs across the country for many years.  You can find the Goodwill employment program in your area here:

Goodwill Houston Job Connection Services

 I understand that these options may be a distance from you so they may not be that convenient.  You may also consider temporary employment as a way to get a paycheck and possibly a permanent job.  Independent agencies, in my opinion, offer the best opportunities for ex-offenders and felons to get hired.  Often the larger corporate agencies have corporate policies that forbid the hiring of an ex-offender or felon.   With smaller companies, you will more often than not interview with the owner or manager that has the power to hire anyone that person feels is best for an assignment.

Make a list of temporary agencies in your area from the telephone book.  Visit them and apply just as you would any other job.  Have your resume with you to leave along with your application.

My final suggestion is to apply to small locally owned companies for jobs.  In most cases, small companies cannot afford to run expensive background checks so they may offer the best opportunity for you to get hired.  

I hope this helps 

 This video tells how temporary agencies work.  Felons can use temporary agencies to get jobs.

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Ten Steps to getting a Job with a Criminal record

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Updated list of companies that hire ex offenders and felons

Mom in Texas is a Felon and Needs to find Employment

Eric Mayo

Felon in Colorado needs a Job and Assistance

Mr. Mayo,

In the last several months I have had the opportunity to become intimately aware of the financial, psychological and emotional distress, frustration, fear and decreased self esteem of someone who has re-entered regular population from incarceration and is incapable of finding employment that they can survive on because they have a felony. They may have terrific skill sets that are not being utilized in their communities but instead are relegated to flipping burgers or manual labor positions that they cannot sustain themselves or a family on .  I am heartbroken by the dilemma they find themselves wanting to make that change for the better but the whole system is still stacked against them. Some might say rightfully so since they committed a crime to begin with but should everyone be in jail the rest of their lives even after their actual sentence is complete with no ability to show that they have learned and want to become productive in society?
The particular person I came in contact with is homeless, living in his car that he is always on the verge of losing and unable to find a decent job or find a place to live. There are some  felon friendly apartments but they have a variety of felony types and this gentleman has a young daughter and does not want to have her staying with him in an environment that he is not sure would be safe for her.

It seems to me that the impetus to re- offend or possibly commit a different crime purely out of desperation or resorting to less than moral behavior to get what they need...is great. The impetus to just give up on life is also great. How tragic!  I live in Denver Colorado. I was wondering if you knew of any staffing services, coaching services, etc that are available and focus in this area?   If you have been helping felons in your area for over 10 years can you tell me how you go about finding companies that are willing to give felons a second chance?  Are there any government incentives to businesses that are willing to help give these people a second chance at life?  I want to find out what already exists or maybe try to put some programs together but I don't want to re-invent the wheel and would love any input you could give me.
Are there any nationally recognized programs in this area?

Thank you for your time,

Dana

 Felon in Colorado needs a Job and Assistance

 

Hello Dana,

I'm sorry your friend is having so much trouble.  Unfortunately it is common for returning citizens (ex-offenders, felons,) to have difficulty putting the past behind them.  There are many hurdles to overcome.  Below are some resources in your area that your friend may find helpful.




Turnabout, Inc.

Turnabout, Inc. is a non-profit employment, career, and education services agency that provides access to a fully-stocked computer lab, daily job leads, transportation assistance, subsidized work skills training, and job search assistance to former offenders in the Metro Denver area.

Contact:

Turnabout, Inc.
1630 East 14th Avenue
Denver, CO 80218
(303) 813-0005

Web Site: www.turnabout.org

 
Mile High United Way 

The United Way supports many non-profit organizations.  The United Way may be able to put you in contact with organizations that aid ex-offenders and felons with various services

Contact:

Phone: (303) 433-8383

Fax: (303) 455-6462

711 Park Ave West

Denver, CO 80205

- See more at: http://www.unitedwaydenver.org/programs#sthash.XjwvEYa9.dpuf

Phone: (303) 433-8383

Fax: (303) 455-6462

711 Park Ave West

Denver, CO 80205

- See more at: http://www.unitedwaydenver.org/programs#sthash.XjwvEYa9.dMile High United Way

711 Park Ave West
Denver, CO 80205
Phone: (303) 433-8383

Web Site: http://www.unitedwaydenver.org/  


Colorado Workforce Center

The Colorado Workforce Center consolidates components of Job Service and Employment and Training services in an attempt to maximize its ability to serve job seekers as well as employers. Centers are held accountable for performance outcomes based on the consumer’s feedback. There is an extensive web site devoted to workforce center information as well as employment services.

Contact:

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
Tower 11, Suite 400
1515 Arapahoe Street
Denver, CO 80202
303-620-4204 

Web Site: coworkforce.com/EMP/WFCs.asp


 
Also check out our  List of Companies that hire Ex-offenders and Felons.  It is quite an extensive list and hopefully it will be helpful.

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Where Ex-offenders and Felons Can Find Jobs

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Ten Steps to getting a Job with a Criminal record

 Felon in Colorado needs a Job and Assistance

Eric Mayo

Need Interview Clothes? Ex offenders and Felons Should try Thrift Stores

I have been helping ex-offenders and felons get jobs for many years and if there is one thing I stress is the power of the first impression.  How you look is going to speak volumes about you before you ever open your mouth.  Whether out looking for a job, filling out applications or interviewing that first impression is powerful.  What do people see when they see you?  Do they see a thug or a businessperson?  Everything about you should "Professional."

The classic look for men is a dark suit with a light colored shirt and a color coordinated tie.  At the very least, dark slacks, with a light colored shirt and a nice silk tie.  Don't forget the shined shoes.  For women, a classic  pant or skirt suit with coordinated pumps. 

I meet ex-offenders and felons who tell me that they do not have the money to buy the kind of clothes that I'm talking about.  There is a solution, the local thrift store.  I know what you are thinking- used clothes,
yuck!  Get rid of you prejudices that thrift stores are full of junk that other people threw away.  The fact is, thrift stores often have high quality clothes at bargain basement prices.  Check this true story about an actual student of mine:

"Real Stories of Ex-offenders and Felons Looking for Jobs" 

 

I recently took a student of mine to a local thrift store because he told me he did not have clothes for an upcoming interview.  This is what we got.


1 pair of  Perry Ellis Portfolio double pleated, cuffed slacks - $4.00

1 Ralph Lauren Dress shirt - $3.00

1 Nautica silk tie - $2.00

1 pair of Cole Haan shoes $12.00

He went home with clothes that would make him look like a million dollars for $21.00!

Need Interview Clothes? Ex offenders and Felons Should try Thrift Stores

Thrift stores are great for finding good bargains on clothes. Here are some tips to make thrift store shopping a great experience.

 Give yourself time.  Thrift stores usually have a lot of things to look through.  Take your time and find what you need.

Go with a friend.  It’s good to have a second opinion. If you're a guy, go with a girl.  If you're a girl, vice versa.  Your friend will be able to help you decide if something really looks good on you.

Find out if there are any sales.  Some thrift stores color code the sale items.  Some stores even have a sale day.  Find out how to make your thrift store bargains even better.

If possible, buy clothes that are machine washable.  What good is getting a good deal on slacks if you can only dry clean them.

Look clothes over very carefully.  Nothing is worse than thinking you have found a nice shirt, only to get home and find a hole on the back or the cuffs are frayed.

Try clothes on.  You will feel really bad if you got those great slacks home and they don't fit

Wash clothes when you get home.  Thrift store clothes are basically clean, but many have been on the rack for a while and need to be freshened up before wearing.

Thrift stores are a great option for ex-offenders and felons who want to look professional but do not have a lot of money.  To find your local thrift store, check your local telephone book.  Even if you haven't decided that thrift stores are for you.  Try one anyway.  Go down and look around.  Even if you don't buy anything the first time, don't be surprised if you go back at another time.


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 Jobs for Felons: How to Shop at Thrift Stores

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Jobs for felons: Ten Simple Steps to Getting a Job with a Criminal Record

 

Are you an ex-offender or felon who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record?  I have been helping ex-offenders and felons get jobs for over ten years and I feel I have an understanding of what works. I will be updating this blog often. I will answer specific questions relating to getting a job with a criminal record on this blog so feel free to send me your questions.   The right information could help a felon get jobs.  You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: Adogzheart2@gmail.com.

If you are a felon and really serious about getting a job or you want to help someone you care about get a job, check out this link: From Jail to a Job

 

Need Interview Clothes? Ex offenders and Felons Should try Thrift Stores