If you‘re considering applying for a job at your local Family Dollar store, one important question you likely have is: does Family Dollar conduct background checks on potential employees? The simple answer is yes. Like many employers today, Family Dollar has a policy of running pre-employment background screenings on all applicants before officially hiring them.
But what exactly do these background checks entail? How long do they take, and how far back do they go? Are there certain red flags that would automatically disqualify you from landing a job at Family Dollar? Here‘s everything you need to know about Family Dollar‘s background check process and policies.
Background Checks Are the Norm in Retail
First, it‘s important to understand that Family Dollar is far from alone in their use of pre-employment background screenings. In fact, background checks have become standard practice across the retail industry.
According to a survey from the National Retail Federation, a staggering 97% of retailers conduct background checks on some or all job candidates. For senior-level positions, that figure rises to 100%. Clearly, if you‘re seeking a career in retail, you should expect to undergo a background check as part of the hiring process.
Why Does Family Dollar Conduct Pre-Employment Background Checks?
So why do Family Dollar and so many other retailers invest time and resources into screening all potential hires? There are a few key reasons:
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Protecting customers and employees: By avoiding hiring individuals with certain serious criminal convictions (more on that below), Family Dollar aims to create a safe environment for both shoppers and team members. Keeping those with violent or predatory histories out of stores is a major priority.
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Preventing loss: Retail theft is a massive problem in the industry, costing companies tens of billions of dollars each year. According to the National Retail Federation, inventory loss costs retailers $61.7 billion annually, with employee theft accounting for over 20% of those losses. Background checks help Family Dollar identify applicants with known histories of stealing from employers.
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Promoting honesty and trust: Background checks also serve to verify that applicants are being fully truthful on their applications and resumes. Family Dollar wants to build an honest, reliable team, and that starts with making sure everyone is on the same page from the get-go.
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Maintaining reputation: Headline-grabbing incidents involving retail employees with serious criminal pasts can be a PR nightmare. By thoroughly vetting all new hires, Family Dollar protects its public image and fosters consumer trust.
What Shows Up on a Family Dollar Background Check?
So what type of information will appear when Family Dollar screens your background? While the specifics can vary a bit depending on the position, location, and chosen screening provider, in general Family Dollar background checks include:
- Criminal history (including arrests and convictions at the federal, state, and local levels)
- Driving records (for positions involving driving, like delivery or logistics)
- Verification of Social Security number
- Confirmation of past employment and education claims
- Reference checks
Typically, Family Dollar will contract with an outside consumer reporting agency to conduct the actual background investigation. These firms have access to a wide range of databases and public record sources they use to build a comprehensive report.
However, these agencies must follow strict guidelines under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This federal law regulates background checks for employment and requires a number of steps employers must follow, including:
- Getting the applicant‘s written consent before running a background check
- Notifying the applicant if information from the background check is used to make an adverse hiring decision
- Providing the applicant with a copy of the background check and a summary of their rights under the FCRA
How Many Years Back Does a Family Dollar Background Check Go?
If you have a conviction or two lurking in your past, you‘re probably wondering how far back Family Dollar is going to look. The answer is that it depends on two main factors: the specific position you‘re applying for and the state you live in.
In most states, a standard employment background check at Family Dollar will go back seven years. Some states have even stricter limits. For example:
- California, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, and Washington limit reporting of criminal convictions to seven years, with some conditions.
- Hawaii goes even further, only allowing convictions in the last five years to be reported in most cases.
However, for jobs with higher salaries (usually defined as at least $75,000 per year), many states allow background checks to cover a longer time span. At Family Dollar, this could apply to roles like store manager or corporate positions.
Additionally, some states have implemented what are known as "Ban the Box" laws. These regulations prohibit employers from asking about criminal history on initial job applications. This gives candidates a chance to explain their qualifications before a criminal record enters the equation. Over 30 states, including heavyweights like California and New York, have some form of Ban the Box policy in place. However, these laws still allow employers to run background checks later in the hiring process.
How Long Does a Family Dollar Background Check Take?
Another common question is how long you‘ll be waiting for Family Dollar to wrap up your background check. In most cases, expect the screening to take anywhere from 2-7 business days.
However, there are some factors that can draw out the process, including:
- Having a very common name (John Smith, etc.), which can pull up more potential records to sort through
- Living in multiple states, which requires searching more databases
- Having a lengthy or complex criminal history
- Applying around a holiday or weekend, when courts and employers may be closed
It‘s important for both employer and applicant to practice patience. A thorough background check is in everyone‘s best interest, even if it requires a few extra days.
What Convictions Would Disqualify You From Working at Family Dollar?
Now for the million-dollar question: what criminal history would be a deal-breaker for landing a job at Family Dollar? Of course, every applicant‘s situation is unique, and Family Dollar does evaluate each background check on an individual basis. However, there are a few categories of offenses that will raise major red flags:
- Violent crimes (assault, domestic violence, etc.)
- Sexual offenses (sexual assault, sex crimes involving minors, etc.)
- Significant theft convictions (especially from past employers)
- Forgery and fraud
- Felony drug convictions
Even if an offense is from the distant past, most retailers have a very low tolerance for these serious crimes. The potential risk to customers, team members, and company assets is simply too high in Family Dollar‘s view.
More minor convictions, like petty theft or public intoxication, aren‘t automatic disqualifiers, especially if they are isolated incidents from years ago. But Family Dollar will likely want a compelling explanation for what‘s changed since then before extending an offer.
Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself Before Applying to Family Dollar?
If you‘re concerned about what might show up on your background check, one proactive step is to screen yourself before applying. Many online services allow you to run a comprehensive background check for a small fee, which can give you valuable peace of mind and a clear picture of your official record.
Keep in mind that these services may not access the exact same databases as the screening company Family Dollar uses. But they can give you a general idea of what employers will see.
If you discover inaccurate information on your background check, you have the right to dispute it with the background check provider and credit bureaus. The law requires these agencies to correct any misinformation in a timely manner.
In some cases, you may also be able to have certain criminal records expunged or sealed by a judge, removing them from your background entirely. However, the rules around expungement vary widely by state. Typically, you‘ll need to file a petition and attend a hearing, and not all offenses will be eligible. You‘ll need to check your local laws or consult with an attorney to see if expungement is an option in your case.
The Bottom Line on Family Dollar Background Checks
At the end of the day, there‘s no getting around the fact that passing a background check is a prerequisite for most jobs at Family Dollar. By thoroughly screening all applicants, the company aims to build a safe, trustworthy team and mitigate risks to its people, assets, and brand. However, that doesn‘t mean a single mistake from your past has to hold you back forever.
According to Tracy C. Edmonds, HR expert and editor at Stirling Careers:
"Job seekers with criminal records should focus on what they can control moving forward. Be upfront and honest about your history, take responsibility for your actions, and be prepared to discuss what you‘ve learned and how you‘ve changed. Emphasize the positive steps you‘ve taken, like education, volunteer work, or anger management classes. While you can‘t change the past, you can absolutely shape your future."
Remember, even the most intensive background check is still just one component of Family Dollar‘s hiring process. If you‘re truly a good fit for the job, bring strong qualifications, interview well, and can demonstrate genuine personal growth, you still have a path to starting a great new career at Family Dollar.
