Do Employers Have to Hire Felons?
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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