Finding a job can be challenging for anyone, but it‘s especially difficult if you have a felony conviction on your record. Many employers are reluctant to hire former felons, which can make it feel like an uphill battle to reenter the workforce and rebuild your life.
However, there are companies out there that believe in second chances and are more open to hiring rehabilitated felons who are eager to work hard and move forward. Meijer, the major supercenter retail chain with over 200 locations across the Midwest, is one employer that does hire felons for certain positions depending on the nature of the applicant‘s criminal history.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll give you an inside look at Meijer‘s stance on hiring felons, their background check process, and some tips to improve your odds of landing a job there with a record. We‘ll also highlight some inspiring success stories from felons who have rebuilt their careers at Meijer.
Meijer‘s Official Policies on Hiring Felons
First, let‘s clear up any questions about where Meijer stands. While they don‘t have an explicit blanket policy welcoming all former felons, Meijer does not have a one-size-fits-all ban on hiring anyone with a criminal record either.
Instead, Meijer evaluates candidates on a case-by-case basis, looking at factors like the nature of the conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation since. The company aims to provide equal opportunities to qualified candidates from all walks of life in order to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace.
According to Meijer‘s public hiring policy:
"Meijer provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, genetic information or any other status protected by law.
We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, applicants, customers, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients."
So in short, Meijer does hire felons who are a good fit for open roles, but whether a felony conviction is disqualifying depends on the specific circumstances. Certain positions involving handling money, interacting with vulnerable populations, or requiring security clearances may be tougher for felons to land. But for many entry-level positions in retail, stocking, and customer service, a felony record may not be an automatic deal-breaker.
Meijer‘s Background Check Process
To make informed hiring decisions, Meijer does conduct background checks on applicants who have received a conditional offer of employment. However, the scope of these background checks can vary based on the position you‘re applying for and the laws in your state.
Currently, 14 states and over 100 cities have implemented "Ban the Box" laws that prohibit employers from inquiring about criminal history on initial job applications. In locations with these laws, like Meijer‘s home state of Michigan, criminal background checks are delayed until later in the hiring process to give all candidates a fair chance.
Even in states without Ban the Box laws, Meijer adheres to the EEOC guidance on considering criminal records, which requires evaluating convictions on an individualized basis. Employers cannot impose blanket bans against all felons, but must consider the job-relatedness of the conviction and time passed since the offense.
According to Meijer team members, the retailer is most concerned about felonies directly relevant to the job at hand. For example, a conviction for theft, embezzlement, or fraud could disqualify you from a position handling cash or expensive merchandise. Crimes of violence, sexual offenses, or felonies involving minors could make it difficult to land a customer-facing role.
But if your conviction was for an unrelated offense, occurred several years in the past, and you‘ve demonstrated rehabilitation, you may still have a shot. Meijer also tends to be more open to lesser misdemeanor convictions than felonies.
Tips for Applying to Meijer with a Felony
Now that you know Meijer does consider former felons for certain roles, here are some tips to maximize your chances of landing a job there with a criminal record:
- Start with entry-level positions. Applying for roles in stocking, retail sales, janitorial work, cart collection, or order fulfillment may be easier than landing a management position right out of the gate. Once you get your foot in the door and establish a positive track record, you‘ll have more opportunities to advance.
- Highlight relevant skills and experience. Play up any prior work experience in retail, customer service, supply chain, or related fields on your resume. Emphasize your relevant hard and soft skills like attention to detail, communication, collaboration, and dependability. Prove you have what it takes to excel in the role, record aside.
- Gather references and proof of rehabilitation. Secure some strong professional and character references who can speak positively on your behalf. Gather any evidence of successful rehabilitation, such as completing relevant job training programs, education, volunteer work, or counseling. The more you can demonstrate concrete, positive changes since your offense, the better.
- Apply online and in person. Meijer lists all open positions on the Careers section of their website. You can easily search for openings near you and submit an online application. But it can also help to follow up in person at your local Meijer and introduce yourself to the hiring manager, if possible. Putting a face to your application can help you stand out.
- Be honest and upfront. Don‘t try to hide your criminal history, as it will likely come out during the background check. Instead, be prepared to have an honest discussion about your past, the lessons you‘ve learned, and your commitment to your future. Meijer appreciates candidates who take responsibility and are transparent.
- Prepare for common interview questions. Practice your responses to questions like "Can you tell me about your criminal record?" or "How have you changed since your conviction?" Focus on framing your story in terms of growth, lessons learned, and your desire to make positive contributions. Project confidence, remorse, and a forward-looking attitude.
Felon Hiring at Meijer vs. Other Retailers
Meijer is one of several major retailers with a track record of hiring felons for certain positions. Here‘s a quick comparison to some other companies‘ policies:
- Walmart – Evaluates candidates with criminal records on a case-by-case basis. May hire felons whose convictions are not job-related or recent, especially for entry-level roles.
- Target – Conducts background checks, but considers each candidate individually. Has hired felons for entry-level positions in the past based on a variety of factors.
- Home Depot – Known to be felon-friendly, especially for roles in stocking, freight, and lot crew. Considers the type of conviction and time passed since the offense.
- Lowe‘s – Assesses candidates with felony records individually, looking at the severity of the offense, rehabilitation, and relevancy to the job.
- Costco – More stringent background checks due to the nature of its business model as a membership wholesale club. Felons may have difficulty landing roles handling cash and member information.
- Kroger – Evaluates felons on a case-by-case basis. Those with job-related convictions or violent/sexual offenses may have a harder time, but successful hires for other types of felons in entry-level roles.
While every company has a slightly different approach, Meijer is generally in line with other major retailers when it comes to considering qualified felons for certain roles. With a strong application and some extra effort, former felons may be able to find a second chance at Meijer.
Success Stories from Felons Working at Meijer
Don‘t just take it from us – let‘s hear from some former felons who have landed jobs at Meijer about their experiences:
"I was hired at Meijer after being released from a 3-year prison sentence for a drug charge. My felony was over 5 years old at the time I applied. I was upfront about my history in the interview. They asked a lot of questions but I was honest about everything. A week later, I was hired part-time as a stocker. I‘ve since been promoted to lead my team. Meijer gave me a chance when a lot of places wouldn‘t." – Marcus, Meijer employee in Michigan
"Getting a job with a felony is never easy, but Meijer was willing to look past my mistakes. I have a violent felony from when I was a teenager that‘s followed me into adulthood. After finishing an anger management program and some job readiness classes, I applied to Meijer as a cart attendant. I prepared a lot for the interview and presented myself professionally. They hired me and I‘ve been there for a year now with no issues. I‘m so grateful for the opportunity to work hard and support my family." – James, Meijer employee in Ohio
"I was skeptical about applying to Meijer because of my criminal history. But my cousin worked there and encouraged me to try. I have 2 felony convictions – one for theft and one for trespassing. Neither were super recent. I applied for a seasonal overnight stocker position and got an interview. I brought a letter of recommendation from my parole officer and discussed all the rehabilitation programs I completed. They ended up hiring me full-time after the holiday season because of my work ethic and reliability. 7 years later, I‘m now a department lead. It just takes one positive reference to change your trajectory." – Kelly, Meijer employee in Indiana
As you can see, Meijer has given many former felons a second chance through gainful employment. It may not always be easy, but with some persistence, strategy, and a compelling growth story, landing a job at Meijer with a criminal record is possible.
The Broader Importance of Second Chance Hiring
Conversations about employing former felons are bigger than just Meijer. Currently, an estimated 27% of the U.S. population has a criminal record of some kind. That‘s over 70 million of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones who face additional obstacles to landing a job and reintegrating into society.
Unfortunately, many employers still impose blanket bans on candidates with criminal records or steer clear of felons to avoid potential liability issues. This lack of second chance hiring has far-reaching ripple effects. Unemployed felons are significantly more likely to reoffend and end up back in prison without the stability of a steady job. More than 600,000 people are released from state and federal prisons each year, flooding the job market with applicants in desperate need of an income.
Beyond just providing a paycheck, employment is crucial for helping former felons develop a sense of purpose, self-esteem, and positive community ties. Hiring rehabilitated felons can help reduce recidivism, strengthen families strained by incarceration, ease the burden on public assistance programs, and cultivate a more inclusive economy that doesn‘t leave millions behind due to past mistakes.
That‘s why it‘s so important for major companies like Meijer to be part of the solution and open doors for qualified former felons. Ban the box laws and EEOC guidance have pushed us in a positive direction, but there is still much room for progress in expanding second chance employment.
If you‘re a former felon hitting the job market, know that your past doesn‘t have to determine your future. With some perseverance, targeted job search strategies, and continued commitment to growth, you can find employers like Meijer who believe in your potential. Focus on positions that align with your skills, be upfront about your history, gather strong references, and practice telling your story in a way that conveys lessons learned.
Finding a company willing to invest in you can be the first step to unleashing a ripple effect of positive changes in your life and our society. Meijer is one place to start that journey, but know there are other employers out there who also believe in second chances. Keep knocking on doors until one opens.
Key Takeaways
- Meijer does hire felons on a case-by-case basis, evaluating the individual circumstances of each candidate.
- Felons may have the best luck applying for entry-level roles and those not directly related to their convictions.
- Focusing your job search, being transparent, and gathering strong references can improve your odds.
- Several other major retailers like Walmart and Home Depot are also known to hire felons for certain positions.
- Second chance hiring is crucial for helping millions of former felons successfully rejoin the workforce and rebuild their lives.