If you’re already a shopper at one of their stores, you might want to know, does Walmart hire felons? The company is the largest retailer worldwide with 11,200 stores in 27 countries. So, they’re probably hiring in your neighborhood!
Successful Release asked the company directly about their hiring policies so we could tell you what you need to know about how to get hired at Walmart.
Our expertise is helping former felons find work by giving advice, from resume writing to interview preparation. Furthermore, many of our staff have criminal records, so we know what kind of tips you should know.
When it comes to applying at Walmart, we’ve got some great advice, including answers to these questions:
Successful Release contacted Walmart to get this official response:
“We hire felons as long as their timeline of conviction has fallen off. There are no questions about convictions on the application but we ask about convictions on background checks. Background checks are done on new hires, right before the job offer. There are no special programs for hiring felons. Felons can work in departments that do not use firearms. As well, they can be hired for managerial posts as long as there is no use of firearms.”
Yes. Walmart’s official response confirms that they have.
Yes. We believe they will hire people with misdemeanors. These are less serious offenses, and they already hire people with felonies.
Definitely! Walmart has gotten behind two critical national initiatives that support former felons in their job search.
To start with, they’re on the Ban the Box list. This program helps level the playing field for those with criminal records.
Ban the Box urges employers to consider job qualifications before they look at criminal history. Companies that sign take the criminal record check box off job applications to ensure this.
In addition, Walmart has made the Fair Chance Business Pledge. Employers take the Pledge to show they’ll take steps to remove any barriers to employment for job seekers with criminal records.
Consequently, you should feel confident that you can get a job at Walmart with a felony!
The official response we got from the company confirms that they do not. However, don’t let that discourage you from applying! Not very many companies actually have special programs.
We believe the odds you can get a job at Walmart with a felony are high. Here’s why:
Here are the types of entry-level jobs you can expect to see:
Store Jobs:
Distribution Centre and Driving Jobs:
These jobs come with a health plan, vision and dental benefits, merchandise discounts, a 401(k) plan, and education assistance for employees and their dependents.
Shifts vary job-to-job, but most jobs require you to work weekends and holidays. If you’re a Truck Driver, you can expect to be home about once a week.
Start by looking at the Walmart website for job openings. When you’re ready, here’s the link to apply online.
Be aware that you’ll need to have an email account to apply online. Of course, you can always bring your resume directly to a store and leave it with the hiring manager.
The company website has some great information about where the company wants to grow in the future, such as in eCommerce. So, this is good to know if you’re thinking of a long-term career, rather than to just get a job at Walmart with a felony.
What’s more, each job posting includes answers to frequently asked questions. These are mainly about the application process.
Additionally, all the job postings we looked at emphasize the importance of a good attitude. This goes for providing good customer service, and working well with co-workers. So, be friendly and positive during your interview.
Walmart’s website also has terrific information about how to prepare for your interview.
Here are some other ideas for how to get hired at Walmart:
Walmart has more than 2.2 million employees around the globe. Equally important, the company says 75% of store managers started as hourly associates. This is encouraging because it means there’s room to advance in the company.
Yes. Expect that you’ll have to pass a background check.
You can count on most employers doing a background check of some sort. For example, businesses are required, by law, to at least confirm the identity of the individuals they hire and that they’re eligible to work in the United States.
On indeed.com, employees had some helpful comments about what Walmart looks for. Basically, their background check may include your criminal record, work history, education and credit history.
For instance, they’ll look for offenses involving theft, drugs or violence. Walmart will also want to know about your work ethic and why you left your other employers.
However, don’t let this worry you. Remember they hire former felons and, above all, be honest on your application!
Here’s what you need to know about background checks:
In some states, background checks will only take into account the last seven years. Here’s a list of the states that follow this practice:
(* sometimes certain pay or salary bracket positions require one.)
In addition, the following states won’t look at any charges where you were found not guilty:
However, be advised that the states listed below will consider your whole record, including any not guilty verdicts:
Walmart has some very good online ratings from employees.
Walmart has given a 4 out of 5 star rating on glassdoor.com by approximately 39,000 reviewers. Of these, 63% said they’d recommend Walmart to a friend.
For example, they have 3.6 out of 5 on indeed.com, based on over 160,000 reviews. Here, people like them most for culture and work-life balance and said they were paid well for their positions.
A lot of Walmart merchandise is easily stolen. So, if you have theft or shoplifting offenses in your background, you may have a harder time getting hired.
Furthermore, convictions for violent offenses can be a problem. Obviously, the hiring manager will want to make sure you can work in a team environment. In addition, hiring people who will show respect to customers is critical for a retailer like Walmart.
Finally, if you want to drive a Walmart truck and have driving offenses, it could be a deal breaker. Basically, the company needs to make sure they can insure you and you’re able to perform the duties required.
Take some time to think about your criminal history and what jobs it makes harder for you to get here.
Yes. The online Walmart application confirms the company “. . . requires a drug screening test as part of its selection and hiring process for certain positions.”
Furthermore, employees “. . . may be required to submit to alcohol/drug-testing under certain circumstances during [employment].”
In other words, be prepared for a drug test.
Now you know. Does Walmart hire felons? Yep!
If you’ve ever worked for Walmart with a record, what tips and advice do you want to share?
Sandy Bell-Murray worked for more than thirty years for the Ontario public service, mainly in adult and youth justice. She began as a Probation and Parole Officer, then became a policy analyst, program supervisor and manager. Currently, she delivers workshops focused on building personal resilience and managing stress. She is an active member of Toastmasters International.
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Hey Sandy, great info and just what I was looking for. Had an interview at Sam’s club today and as soon as I got home they already emailed me and accepted my offer for the position.. This pretty much means I’m hired pending my background check.
Then the dreaded email pops up containing the background login info. I just froze in my chair staring at my computer screen for an hour.
Have a serious crime from 1982 and was thinking about not entering it being 37 years in the past. But after reading your article I think maybe I better, They’re sure to find it anyway. Thanks for renewing my hope though Sandy. Maybe being so long ago, and I’ve been on the straight and narrow since they will still considere me. I really want this job…. starting pay is $15 per hour,. Wish me luck!
I applied for a Wal-Mart and was offered conditional employment upon successful completion of a drug screen and backround check.I have a felony on my rec8 for shoplifting in April 2017,does this mean instant disqualification from employment.
I have applied and got hired at Walmart 4 times each time the background check comes back I get kicked out. I have one thing one my record for selling 3 pills and its almost 7 years old. I have cried begged and pleaded on my knees for them to give me a chance by each time telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth but still no. Its always the same. I fill out the explanation of what I have done to improve my life including the fact that I have sense adopted 2 children from a horrible experience and yet I can’t get Walmart to give me a chance.
Walmart did not hire me and I have a misdemeanor. Four times at four different Walmart locations I applied and interviews and was given a conditional offer until the background. After the background I didn’t hear from Walmart for over a month at which time they said the position was offered to someone else. Walmart has done that to me every time!
Yes. They will hire you. I had a felony from 2018 and I got a letter in my email asking me how I have changed or become a better person. I explained it and 24 hours later I was eligible for hire. I am now a full time Walmart associate!
Do not be discouraged. They will hire you if you give them an explanation
I just recently had my conditional job offer with Walmart withdrawn after my criminal background search came back. I self reported it on the form I had to fill out for the background check. When it came back and I had a chance to turn in a letter from my preacher and from the victim in my charge and Walmart still said I did not have the job at this time because of my charge. It was 5 years ago and was a domestic violence charge. I had never been in trouble and haven’t been since.
I will tell everyone my experience with Walmart the first time I was offered a job I was honest and the guy that interviewed me said I should be fine given it’s been a while and showed I’ve changed my life BUT he said in the end it’s up to corporate. Well then I get a letter saying I didn’t pass my background check well cause my felonies were over 7 years old when they checked my record my felonies didn’t come up so they denied me because my background didn’t match what I told them. Like are you serious I was honest about my past and because my felonies didn’t show up on my background check to match what I disclosed they denied me employment. So the next time I just didn’t disclose it and I got the JOB.. I worked at Walmart for almost 5 years.. I know I you should be honest but that’s when disclosing it gets you no where that’s what you gotta do unfortunately especially if it’s been over 7-10 years.
I applied at walmart and was givin an offer contingent upon backgrou d check. I have a petit theft charge that was dismissed and a possession of Marijuana charge that was adjudication withheld. I hope I can get the job
I applied at the Walmart Distribution Center in Plainfield, Indiana. The job postion was Maintenance Technician. I filled out the form for background check and took the drug test. Passed the drug test but didn’t pass the background check. I was honest about my felony I committed in 1983, but still Walmart denied me employment. They went back over 30 years on my background check. Indiana allows employers to go back as far as they want. And then Walmart doesn’t even have the decency to call you to let you know or discuss the issue. This has been the case for me at every job I have applied for. It’s like society doesn’t want to help or care about helping ex felons. They continue to punish you even after you complete your sentence/ commitment. It’s like they want you to fail.
I applied April 2020 as a Personal Shopper for online grocery orders. Had a phone interview within a week. Got a job offer. Filled out the background check- was honest about my charges from 2004-robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony- and got a second request from background company for additional information to show how I’ve changed my life. I spoke to the store and they said ultimately it would be up to corporate. I submitted my college degree, certificates for courses I completed, a letter from my probation officer, everything I could find to show I’m not the same person- and I was hired. Ive currently been employed for 8 months and just took the assessment to apply for lead positions.
I applied for a meat cutters position at Walmart and Sam’s Warehouse. I was immediately hired because of my experience and exceptional recommendations by my references. I was honest from the beginning about my felonies from 25 years ago and 1 Aggravated Assault on a Dog catcher and police officer ( which was truly an accident on the police officer) who was severely abusing my animal in 2015. I had letters from my parole officer and many other public figures. The hiring manager at Sam’s Warehouse really pulled for me however I did not get the job due to my felonies. I do not understand how Walmart Corp can say they are all for “ Ban the box” and proclaim they want to help people that have felonies, but 9 out of 10 times they don’t hire you. That is a contradiction in itself!