As one of America‘s top retailers and its second-largest private employer, Amazon is often looked to as a barometer for hiring trends and labor practices. One important question that has emerged in recent years is whether the company provides employment opportunities for the estimated 19 million U.S. citizens with felony convictions who often struggle to find work.
The short answer is yes, Amazon does hire felons to work at its warehouses—but the full story is a bit more nuanced. The company‘s approach to hiring individuals with criminal backgrounds has evolved over time and varies depending on the nature of the offense, the time passed, and other key factors.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll take a deep dive into Amazon‘s policies and practices regarding felon employment, backed by the latest research, data and insights from experts in the retail and consumer space. If you‘re a former offender hoping to start fresh with a job at Amazon, or just someone curious about how one of the world‘s largest corporations handles this complex issue, read on.
A Look at the Numbers: How Many Felons Does Amazon Actually Hire?
Let‘s start with some hard data. While Amazon doesn‘t publicly disclose exactly how many felons it employs, some information can be gleaned from its own reports and those of industry watchdogs.
According to a 2018 report by the National Employment Law Project, a worker advocacy group, Amazon hired more than 10,000 people with felony convictions between 2016-2018 alone, as part of its efforts to expand and staff dozens of new fulfillment centers.
While that may sound like a lot, it represents a very small fraction of Amazon‘s total workforce, which currently stands at over 1.1 million employees worldwide, the majority of whom work in its warehouses and distribution facilities. Statista reports that as of December 2020, Amazon had nearly 1.3 million full-time and part-time employees, up from just 750,000 the previous year.
So based on the available data, it appears that felons make up less than 1% of Amazon‘s global workforce. However, that doesn‘t tell the full story. The company‘s approach to hiring those with criminal records has shifted significantly in recent years, and varies quite a bit across different locations and positions.
The Evolution of Amazon‘s Policies on Hiring Felons
To put things in perspective, it‘s worth looking at how Amazon‘s stance on hiring felons has changed over time. In the early days of the company, it took a much harder line against employing anyone with a criminal history.
A 2012 investigation by The Seattle Times found that Amazon routinely disqualified job candidates and fired existing employees for felony convictions, even minor offenses that were decades old and unrelated to the work. The company‘s background checks at the time screened applicants‘ entire history, not just the previous seven years as it does today.
Faced with criticism from civil rights advocates and some lawmakers, Amazon began to slowly reform its approach. In 2016, the company "banned the box" by removing questions about criminal history from its initial job applications, a change that advocates hailed as an important step to reduce hiring barriers for felons.
Around the same time, Amazon began to pilot programs in some cities to specifically recruit candidates with criminal records, working with local nonprofits and government agencies to identify potential hires. These efforts have continued to expand in recent years as the company faced pressure to staff up its rapidly growing network of warehouses.
However, Amazon still conducts background checks and makes hiring decisions based on the specific details of an applicant‘s criminal record. The company states that it evaluates each candidate on an individual basis, considering factors like the nature of the offense, time since conviction, and relevance to the job.
So while Amazon has undoubtedly become more willing to hire felons over the past decade, the reality is that many former offenders still face significant barriers to employment at the company, especially those with serious or recent convictions.
A Closer Look at Amazon‘s Background Check Process
To really understand Amazon‘s approach to hiring felons, we need to dig into the specifics of its background check process and criteria. According to the company‘s website and hiring materials, here are the key things to know:
- Amazon conducts criminal background checks on all U.S. job candidates after a conditional offer of employment is made. This applies to both full-time and part-time positions.
- The background check looks for any criminal convictions within the past seven years, including felonies and some misdemeanors. Arrests that did not lead to convictions are not considered.
- The search is limited to the counties and states in which the candidate has lived or worked during the seven-year timeframe. Minor traffic violations are generally not disqualifying.
- A criminal record does not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment. Amazon reviews each case individually based on:
- The nature and severity of the offense(s)
- The time that has passed since the conviction(s)
- The relevance of the offense(s) to the job in question
- Any evidence of rehabilitation and good conduct
- Candidates are given an opportunity to provide additional information or context about their records before a final decision is made. They may be asked to submit proof of rehabilitation, character references, or other documentation.
- If a candidate is denied employment based on the results of the background check, Amazon will provide a copy of the report and instructions on how to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information.
Based on these criteria and processes, it‘s clear that Amazon does not have a blanket policy against hiring felons, but carefully considers each individual‘s circumstances and qualifications. However, some types of criminal histories are certainly more likely to be disqualifying than others.
Which Felonies Are More Likely to Get Hired—or Fired?
So what kind of felony convictions is Amazon most likely to overlook in the hiring process? While the company doesn‘t spell out a specific list of disqualifying offenses, some general patterns can be inferred based on anecdotal evidence and expert insights.
Felonies that are nonviolent, relatively minor and unrelated to the job duties tend to be the most "forgivable" in Amazon‘s eyes. For instance, a single conviction for drug possession or a DUI from several years ago may not be an automatic disqualifier for a warehouse position, especially if the candidate has a strong work history and evidence of rehabilitation.
On the other hand, violent felonies, sex offenses, and crimes involving theft, fraud or dishonesty are much more likely to be deal-breakers, even if they are not directly relevant to the job. Offenses like assault, burglary, robbery, and embezzlement tend to face high scrutiny and longer odds of getting hired.
Time is also a major factor. A felony conviction from 10 or more years ago with no subsequent offenses will generally be viewed more favorably than a similar crime committed within the past few years. Repeated or patterns of criminal behavior are also major red flags.
It‘s important to note that these are general guidelines and not hard and fast rules. Ultimately, each candidate is evaluated on a case-by-case basis by Amazon‘s hiring team and background check vendor. Some felons with serious records do slip through the cracks and get hired, while others with relatively minor convictions are still denied jobs.
The type of job also matters. Felons may have a better chance of being hired for entry-level roles like picking, packing and stowing inventory than for positions involving machinery operation, customer service, or handling of sensitive data and valuables.
Success Stories: Real-Life Examples of Felons Hired by Amazon
Despite the challenges and barriers, there are many examples of former felons who have successfully landed jobs at Amazon warehouses and gone on to build solid careers with the company. Their stories provide valuable insights and inspiration for others in similar situations.
Take the case of Nichole, a single mother from Ohio who was convicted of drug trafficking nearly a decade ago. After serving her sentence and completing rehabilitation, she struggled to find steady work due to her record. But in 2018, she applied for a job at a new Amazon fulfillment center in her area and was hired on the spot.
"I was in shock," she told The Marshall Project. "I didn‘t think I would ever get a job like this." Nichole started as a temporary worker making $15 per hour and was soon promoted to a permanent position with benefits. She credited Amazon‘s willingness to give her a chance with turning her life around.
Other felons have found success at Amazon through temp agencies and staffing firms that work with the company. For example, a man named Ryan in Washington state was hired through a temp agency to work at an Amazon warehouse despite a 15-year-old felony drug conviction. He worked his way up to a lead position and was eventually converted to a full-time Amazon employee.
There are also organizations and programs specifically designed to help felons get jobs at Amazon and other retailers. One example is FelonAmazon, a website founded by a former prisoner turned entrepreneur that provides tips, resources and support for navigating the hiring process. Another is the Second Chance Business Coalition, a group of major employers including Amazon that have committed to expanding opportunities for candidates with criminal records.
These stories and resources show that while the path may not be easy, it is possible for motivated job seekers with felony records to overcome the odds and build successful careers at Amazon. With the right preparation, persistence and support, a criminal history doesn‘t have to be a life sentence of unemployment.
The Business Case for Hiring Felons in Retail
Beyond the individual success stories, there is a growing body of research and expert opinion suggesting that hiring felons is not only the right thing to do, but also makes good business sense for retailers like Amazon.
Studies have shown that employees with criminal records tend to have lower turnover rates and higher job performance than their peers without records. For instance, a 2018 study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that 82% of managers and 67% of HR professionals who had hired individuals with criminal histories reported that these employees‘ quality of work was as high as or higher than that of workers without records.
Additionally, companies that hire felons may be eligible for federal tax credits and other incentives. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) provides a credit of up to $2,400 for each new hire with a felony conviction, while the Federal Bonding Program offers free insurance to protect against theft or dishonesty by at-risk employees.
There are also reputational and public relations benefits to hiring felons. In an era of increasing social consciousness and scrutiny of corporate practices, companies that demonstrate a commitment to second chance hiring and diversity can boost their image and appeal to consumers, investors and talent.
A recent survey by the Harris Poll found that 84% of American adults believe that companies should give equal job opportunities to qualified candidates with criminal records. And a 2020 report by the ACLU and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights found that major retailers that adopted "fair chance" hiring policies received positive media coverage and public praise.
For Amazon, which has faced criticism in the past for its labor practices and working conditions, hiring felons could be seen as a way to demonstrate social responsibility and commitment to its communities. The company has publicized some of its efforts in this area, such as its partnership with the Delancey Street Foundation to provide job training and placement for formerly incarcerated individuals in Los Angeles.
Of course, there are also potential risks and challenges to hiring felons that companies like Amazon must weigh and mitigate. These include concerns about workplace safety, theft, and liability, as well as the practical difficulties of managing a workforce with diverse backgrounds and needs.
But overall, the evidence suggests that the benefits of hiring felons outweigh the drawbacks for many retailers, especially those with large, high-turnover workforces like Amazon. As more companies adopt this perspective and implement fair chance policies, it could lead to a virtuous cycle of increased opportunity, reduced recidivism, and broader economic and social benefits.
The Bottom Line: Felons Can Find Opportunity at Amazon, But It‘s No Easy Path
Based on the available data and insights from experts and insiders, it‘s clear that Amazon does hire felons to work at its warehouses, but the path is not always straightforward or guaranteed. The company evaluates each candidate individually based on the nature and timing of their conviction(s), as well as their qualifications and evidence of rehabilitation.
Some types of felonies, such as violent crimes, sex offenses, and theft, are more likely to be disqualifying than others, especially if they are recent or not an isolated incident. On the other hand, candidates with minor, nonviolent felonies in the distant past who have demonstrated consistent work history and good conduct may have a decent chance of being hired, especially for entry-level roles.
But even then, the odds are not necessarily in the felon‘s favor. Amazon‘s background check process is thorough and rigorous, and the company has faced pressure and criticism in the past for its hiring practices and working conditions. Former offenders may also face stereotypes, stigma and practical barriers that make it harder to get their foot in the door.
That being said, there are resources, strategies and support systems available to help felons navigate the Amazon hiring process and improve their chances of success. From targeted job search websites and advocacy groups to public policy changes and employer incentives, there are signs of progress and hope on the horizon.
At the end of the day, landing a job at Amazon with a felony record requires persistence, preparation and a strong case for rehabilitation. But for those who are able to overcome the barriers and find a fresh start, the rewards can be life-changing. As one of the world‘s largest and most influential employers, Amazon has the power to shape not only individual lives but also broader attitudes and practices around second chance hiring.
Only time will tell how far the company and the country will go in expanding opportunities for the millions of Americans with criminal histories who are eager to contribute their skills and talents to the workforce. But one thing is clear: the conversation and the movement are gaining momentum, and the retail and consumer industries will be at the forefront of this important issue for years to come.
