For the estimated 19 million Americans with felony convictions, the road to rebuilding their lives often starts with finding stable employment. Yet according to a study by the Prison Policy Initiative, the unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated individuals is nearly five times higher than the general population.
Many companies are hesitant to hire candidates with criminal records, leading to a cycle of poverty and recidivism. In fact, a report by the National Conference of State Legislatures found that over 60% of employers conduct criminal background checks on all job applicants.
However, there is a growing movement among businesses to embrace "second chance" hiring and tap into this often overlooked pool of talent. Petco, the national pet retailer with over 1,500 locations and 27,000 employees, has shown some willingness to hire felons depending on the circumstances.
Understanding Petco‘s Approach to Hiring Felons
Petco‘s official stance on hiring individuals with criminal histories is not entirely clear. The company does not have a blanket policy against considering felons, but decisions appear to be made on a case-by-case basis by individual hiring managers.
Factors that may influence whether a candidate with a felony is hired at Petco include:
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Nature and severity of the offense: Violent crimes, sexual offenses, animal cruelty, and major theft convictions are more likely to disqualify a candidate, especially for customer-facing roles. A single nonviolent offense from many years ago may be looked upon more favorably.
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Time since conviction: Petco background checks typically go back seven years, the federal limit for employment screening. Some hiring managers may choose to look further back at their discretion. The longer ago the felony occurred with no repeat offenses, the better the chances of being considered.
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Relevance to job duties: Petco assesses whether the felony directly relates to or conflicts with the position in question. For example, a conviction involving theft could make it harder to get a job operating a cash register, while a drug offense may not be as much of an issue for a grooming or stocking role.
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Specific location policies: Petco stores have a fair amount of autonomy when it comes to hiring choices. One manager may be more open to giving felons an opportunity, while another may have a stricter stance. This can lead to inconsistent experiences for applicants with records.
Delving into real-world examples, there are both positive and negative instances of felons applying to Petco. On Indeed.com, a reviewer shared:
"I had a felony 7 years old. Two interviews later I was hired. They really are a second chance company as long as you are honest from the start about your background."
Another commenter on Reddit had a different outcome:
"I have a felony from 2001…I didn‘t get hired, they said it was because of my background check."
These anecdotes suggest that some Petco locations are willing to hire felons who are upfront and have older, less serious convictions. But experiences vary widely, and rejection remains a real possibility.
The Benefits of Hiring Felons for Employers Like Petco
Companies may be missing out on quality employees by automatically disqualifying candidates with felony records. A study by the Society for Human Resources Management and the Charles Koch Institute found that 82% of managers feel that the "quality of hire" for workers with criminal records is as high as or higher than that of those without records.
Additionally, hiring felons can offer tangible benefits and incentives for businesses:
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Tax credits: The federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) offers employers up to $2,400 for hiring felons within one year of their conviction or release from prison. Some states have additional tax credit programs.
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Dedicated workers: Many former inmates are especially motivated to excel in their jobs and prove themselves as reliable employees. A study by Northwestern University found that those with criminal records have longer average tenures and are less likely to quit voluntarily.
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Positive impact: Employing felons contributes to reducing recidivism, strengthening families, and increasing economic stability in communities. It‘s an opportunity for companies to live out their values and make a difference.
As a pet industry leader, Petco often emphasizes its commitment to inclusion, second chances, and community outreach. The company‘s mission statement highlights "nurturing powerful relationships" and "improving lives" for both pets and people.
In 2020, Petco launched the Petco Partner Assistance Fund to support employees facing hardships and pledged $2 million to organizations promoting social justice. Offering more opportunities to deserving individuals with criminal pasts could be a natural extension of these initiatives.
If you have a felony conviction and are interested in working at Petco, here are some tips to improve your chances of consideration:
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Be transparent: It may be tempting to hide your criminal history, but it‘s critical to disclose any felony convictions upfront on your application or in an interview. A background check is extremely likely, and failing to be forthcoming will eliminate you from contention and damage your credibility.
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Demonstrate growth: Take responsibility for past mistakes and share what you‘ve learned from your experience. Highlight positive changes you‘ve made, such as completing education/training programs, volunteer work, or counseling. The goal is to show that you‘ve reformed and grown as an individual.
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Emphasize relevant skills: Focus on the qualifications and experience you bring to the specific role you‘re applying for. If you have previous retail, customer service, sales, or animal care experience, make that a central part of your application and interview conversations.
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Start entry-level: Applying for entry-level positions such as sales associate, cashier, stocker, or pet care specialist may offer a better chance of getting hired with a record compared to management or supervisor roles. Once you get your foot in the door and establish a strong reputation, higher-level opportunities will be more attainable.
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Consider multiple locations: Because Petco stores can differ in their degree of openness to hiring felons, you may need to apply to several locations to find one willing to consider you. Larger cities tend to have more open job markets for felons compared to small towns.
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Gather references: Having past employers, teachers, volunteer leaders, or other community members who can speak to your work ethic, skills, and character can go a long way in convincing a hiring manager to give you a chance.
When it‘s time for the background check, Petco will run your information through an accredited screening company. According to employees on Glassdoor, Petco uses the firm General Information Services (GIS) for this process.
Typically, you‘ll fill out consent forms that allow Petco to pull criminal records, verify your identity/SSN, and check your employment history. Most checks go back seven years, but some states allow a more extensive search.
The results can take anywhere from a few days to three weeks to come back, during which your job offer will be contingent on passing the screening. If any felonies are uncovered, Petco will likely follow up for more information before making a final hiring decision.
Alternative Felon-Friendly Employers and Industries
If Petco doesn‘t work out, or you want to explore other options, here are some companies and fields known for being more open to candidates with criminal histories:
- Retail and restaurants: Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe‘s, Dollar General, IKEA, Starbucks, McDonald‘s, KFC, Popeyes, Domino‘s Pizza
- Grocery stores: Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods, Trader Joe‘s, Aldi
- Delivery services: UPS, FedEx, Amazon (delivery and warehouse roles)
- Gig economy: Uber, Lyft, Instacart, DoorDash, GrubHub (background check policies vary)
- Telemarketing and customer service: DialAmerica, Convergys, Sykes, Teleperformance
- Hospitality: Hilton, Hyatt, Holiday Inn, Wyndham Hotels
- Security and facilities management: Allied Universal, Securitas, ABM Industries
- Manufacturing and labor: Ford, General Motors, Tyson Foods, Georgia-Pacific
Additionally, there are staffing agencies that specialize in placing individuals with criminal records, such as Honest Jobs, 70 Million Jobs, Felony Jobs Hub, and Clean Slate America.
Reentry Resources Beyond Employment
Finding a job is a crucial piece of the puzzle for former felons, but other supports are often needed for a successful transition back into society. Here are some reentry resources to be aware of:
- Government agencies: Federal Bonding Program (provides fidelity bonds for hard-to-place job seekers), American Job Centers, state Departments of Corrections and Rehabilitation
- Nonprofits: Prison Fellowship, Goodwill Industries, Catholic Charities, Center for Employment Opportunities, Defy Ventures
- Education and training: Pell Grants for incarcerated students, US Department of Labor Reentry Employment Opportunities program, trade apprenticeships
- Legal assistance: Expungement clinics, legal aid societies, National Reentry Resource Center
- Housing: Halfway houses, transitional housing programs, United Way Worldwide, Volunteers of America
Many cities also have local organizations dedicated to helping former inmates with job placement, mental health services, addiction recovery, and family reunification. Don‘t hesitate to reach out and take advantage of the support systems available.
The Road Ahead
Pursuing employment with a felony conviction is rarely a simple or straightforward journey. It takes resilience, self-reflection, and a willingness to face rejection along the way.
Petco, like many companies, doesn‘t have a perfect or consistent track record when it comes to hiring felons. But there are undoubtedly cases of individuals with criminal pasts who have found success and built careers with the company.
The keys are to be open and honest, focus on your strengths, start with realistic expectations, and keep pushing forward. With a combination of determination, strategy, and the right employer, it‘s entirely possible to overcome the stigma of a felony and achieve meaningful employment.
In the bigger picture, fair chance hiring benefits everyone – individuals, families, businesses, and communities. The more employers like Petco step up to provide opportunities, the more we can break down barriers and create a society that believes in rehabilitation and second chances.
That‘s a mission we can all get behind.
