Does Big Lots hire felons?

Asked by: Prof. Godfrey Franecki MD  |  Last update: April 24, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (31 votes)

Yes, Big Lots does hire felons, but it depends heavily on the specific crime, its recency, and the hiring manager's discretion, with many employees reporting successful hiring for non-violent offenses while theft/robbery might be problematic. They conduct background checks, so honesty is crucial, and factors like your narrative about personal growth and the nature of the felony (e.g., non-violent drug vs. financial crime) significantly influence the outcome.

What jobs are prohibited for felons?

While there's no universal "forbidden" list, felons often face significant barriers in jobs requiring licenses (teaching, law, healthcare), government roles (police, security clearance), finance (banking, trading), transportation (pilots, conductors), and any position involving vulnerable populations (children, elderly), with restrictions varying by state and the nature of the conviction, especially for crimes related to honesty, violence, or substance abuse. 

Does Walmart hire people with felonies?

Yes, Walmart does hire people with felony records, but it's on a case-by-case basis, depending heavily on the nature and age of the crime; violent, theft, and financial felonies are usually disqualifying, especially if recent, while older, non-violent offenses are more likely to be overlooked. While some sources suggest a strict "no felons" policy, many employees and managers confirm that Walmart considers factors like the time since conviction and the relevance of the crime to the job. 

Do big companies hire felons?

Some of the biggest companies in the world will hire people with criminal records. Getting hired with a criminal record is often difficult. Fortunately, a growing number of policy and legislation changes have made it harder for employers to deny someone a job based solely on their arrest or criminal record.

Will Amazon hire someone with a felony?

Yes, Amazon does hire felons, but it's a case-by-case decision based on the crime's nature, time since conviction, and rehabilitation, with warehouse and driver roles often available, while violent or recent crimes may hinder opportunities, especially for internal or sensitive positions. Honesty about your past and demonstrating rehabilitation are key factors in the hiring process. 

Companies That Hire Felons in 2023 (Latest Jobs for Felons)

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What will fail an Amazon background check?

Amazon disqualifiers on background checks often involve recent serious crimes (violent, theft, drugs), lying on applications, poor driving records (especially for driving roles), or significant financial issues for cash-handling jobs, though they hire case-by-case, considering offense type, time passed, and job relevance, with an emphasis on honesty and rehabilitation for past mistakes. Factors like recent violent felonies, multiple recent drug offenses, or severe driving violations are major concerns, while older or less severe issues might be overlooked, especially with strong work history. 

Can a felon get hired at McDonald's?

McDonald's does hire convicted felons, but each case is evaluated individually. Factors such as the offense type, the time since the conviction, and the applicant's rehabilitation efforts are considered during the hiring process.

What is the hardest background check to pass?

The hardest background checks are typically for high-security government roles (like Top Secret clearance), involving deep dives into finances, criminal history, personal references, and lifestyle, often requiring interviews with associates; these are far more stringent than standard employment checks and focus on trustworthiness for sensitive information access, extending to personal habits, foreign contacts, and potential vulnerabilities.
 

What jobs are felons most likely to get?

12 highest-paying jobs for people with criminal records

  • Digital marketer. ...
  • Freelance designer. ...
  • Painter. ...
  • Maintenance worker. ...
  • Entrepreneur. ...
  • Web developer. ...
  • Truck driver. ...
  • Barber.

What fails a Walmart background check?

Walmart disqualifies applicants for serious recent crimes (theft, violence, fraud, drugs), falsifying applications, failing drug tests, and potentially for poor driving records or credit issues in finance/driving roles; however, older or less severe offenses, especially if irrelevant and the applicant is honest, might be overlooked, with case-by-case review.
 

How do I explain a felony on a job app?

It is up to you, but we recommend honesty. On the application, write ”will discuss in interview” rather than a lengthy explanation of past convictions. In an interview, keep explanations brief, and stress what you have learned from your conviction and time in prison, how you have changed, and your skills or assets.

What rights do felons have?

A felony conviction in California leads to the loss of critical rights. Felons cannot vote, serve on a jury or own firearms. Employment opportunities may also be limited, and traveling abroad becomes more difficult. California does not have as many restrictions on convicts' constitutional rights as other states.

What's the best trade for a felon?

While getting a job depends on various factors, some industries are more open to hiring individuals with a record: Construction and skilled trades: Carpenters, plumbers, welders, and electricians are in demand, and employers often focus on skills and experience.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

You can earn $10,000 a month without a degree in high-skill trades (elevator tech, electrician), sales (solar, real estate, insurance), specialized trucking (owner-operator), tech roles (web dev, drone pilot), or by starting your own business/freelancing in areas like content creation or digital marketing, often requiring specialized training, certifications, or strong commission-based performance rather than a traditional degree. 

Can you work for USPS with a felony?

It is Postal Service policy to evaluate the employability of each applicant with a criminal conviction record individually. The fact that an applicant has a criminal conviction record is not sufficient to disqualify that applicant from postal employment.

What looks bad on a background check?

Things that look bad on a background check include criminal records (especially job-related offenses), significant inconsistencies on resumes (like falsified degrees or job titles), frequent job hopping, unexplained employment gaps, poor credit (for financial roles), negative social media activity (hate speech, unprofessionalism), and failed drug/driving tests, all suggesting dishonesty, instability, or risk to the employer. 

What is the 10 second rule in an interview?

The "10-second rule in an interview" refers to two main concepts: the first impression you make upon entering (appearance, greeting, confidence) and the time it takes for a recruiter to screen your resume (they often decide in under 10 seconds). It also applies to the silence during the interview, where interviewers should wait 10 seconds before rescuing a candidate who pauses, allowing them time to think, while candidates should aim to deliver clear, impactful information quickly. 

What states are felony friendly?

These Are the States Most Likely to Hire Former Felons

  • California.
  • Colorado.
  • Kansas.
  • Maryland.
  • Massachusetts.
  • Montana.
  • Nevada.
  • New Hampshire.

What jobs can felons not get?

While there's no universal "forbidden" list, felons often face significant barriers in jobs requiring licenses (teaching, law, healthcare), government roles (police, security clearance), finance (banking, trading), transportation (pilots, conductors), and any position involving vulnerable populations (children, elderly), with restrictions varying by state and the nature of the conviction, especially for crimes related to honesty, violence, or substance abuse. 

Can you be a felon and work at Wendy's?

Yes, Wendy's does not discriminate against convicted felons. Depends on the charge. Yes they believe in giving everyone a chance.

What are the best job boards for felons?

The best job boards for felons focus on "fair chance" hiring, with Honest Jobs being a top dedicated platform, while major sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and CareerOneStop (Justice-Impacted) offer filters or resources to find employers open to hiring individuals with criminal records, alongside specialized agencies like Adecco and Express Employment. 

What are red flags on a background check?

Red flags on a background check are discrepancies or concerning findings like criminal records (especially violent, financial, or drug-related), significant inconsistencies in employment/education history, poor credit history (for finance roles), negative references, failed drug tests, or unprofessional social media activity, all raising concerns about a candidate's integrity, judgment, or suitability for a role.
 

Can I get hired at Amazon if I have a felony?

Yes, Amazon does hire people with felony convictions, but it's on a case-by-case basis, depending on the crime's nature, how long ago it was, and the specific job's requirements, with older, non-violent offenses often viewed more favorably than recent, serious ones, though theft or violent felonies can be disqualifying, especially for roles requiring high trust or driving. 

What can make you not pass a background check?

You fail a background check due to red flags like criminal history, lying on your application (education, job history), a failed drug test, a poor driving record, or issues like bad credit for finance roles, all of which signal a potential mismatch with the job's requirements or company standards. Other common reasons include unverifiable credentials, negative references, or even inconsistent personal identification details.