Does Walmart care about misdemeanors?

Asked by: Mrs. Jennifer Botsford II  |  Last update: January 30, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (12 votes)

Yes, Walmart does care about misdemeanors and conducts background checks, but whether a misdemeanor disqualifies you depends on the type, recency, and relevance to the job, with theft, violence, or recent serious offenses being major concerns, while older, minor offenses like disorderly conduct are less likely to prevent hiring. They assess each case individually, looking for patterns like repeat offenses or crimes directly related to workplace safety, like assault, especially if you're still on probation.

How strict is the Walmart background check?

Criminal Background Check

Applicants undergo checks for criminal history, employment history, and drug use. Walmart reviews criminal records from county, state, and federal databases, focusing on serious offenses such as violent crimes, theft, fraud, and drug-related offenses.

Will a misdemeanor prevent me from getting hired?

Yes, a misdemeanor can affect employment, especially if it's recent, serious (like theft or violence), or relevant to the job (e.g., a DUI for a driving role), but many factors like "Ban the Box laws," expungement, and your honesty can significantly influence the outcome, with many people finding jobs despite a record. Employers often focus on the crime's nature, severity, and relevance to job duties, with industries like childcare, finance, or healthcare being stricter. Being upfront and explaining rehabilitation can build trust, while some state laws limit how early employers can ask about criminal history. 

What can stop you from getting a job at Walmart?

Walmart commonly rejects applicants for violent felonies, theft/fraud (especially retail-related), sex-offenses/registry listings, drug distribution, weapons offenses, and crimes involving vulnerable people--particularly when recent, relevant to job duties, or multiple.

What fails a Walmart background check?

Walmart disqualifies candidates for serious, recent crimes (theft, violence, fraud, drugs), falsifying applications, poor driving records for driving roles, and active warrants, but may overlook older, non-relevant offenses, with decisions made case-by-case, focusing on safety, integrity, and honesty. Felonies, especially recent ones, are major red flags, but some felons get hired if their records show rehabilitation, while lying on applications leads to immediate rejection. 

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Will Walmart not hire you for a misdemeanor?

Walmart will look at felonies and misdemeanor arrests and convictions for the previous 7 years. Violent, sexual, drug, and financial/larceny offenses are most likely grounds for disqualification. Walmart does not hire violent criminals. Note: Expunged records will not show up on a background check.

What causes a red flag on a background check?

Red flags on a background check are inconsistencies or negative findings like criminal history (especially violent or financial crimes), employment/education discrepancies (lying about degrees or dates), poor credit, failed drug tests, or unprofessional social media that raise concerns about a candidate's integrity, judgment, or suitability for a role. Major red flags include criminal records, dishonesty, financial irresponsibility (for financial roles), and substance abuse issues.
 

Do I have to disclose a misdemeanor after 7 years?

Generally, you do not have to disclose a misdemeanor conviction older than 7 years in California for most employment background checks. However, certain industries and positions may require disclosure regardless of time passed. It's best to consult with a legal professional for specific advice.

What makes you ineligible to work at Walmart?

Walmart disqualifies candidates for serious criminal offenses (especially recent theft, violence, fraud), lying on applications, poor driving records for driving jobs, or failing drug tests for safety-sensitive roles, but they often review felony records case-by-case, considering the crime's age and relevance to the job. Disqualifiers primarily stem from background checks, which look at criminal, employment, and sometimes credit/driving history. 

What is the 9 minute rule at Walmart?

The "Walmart 9 minute rule" refers to a long-standing, unofficial policy allowing associates to clock in up to 9 minutes early or late, and clock out up to 9 minutes early, without triggering the company's automated attendance points system. This grace period prevents minor timekeeping discrepancies from adding points for tardiness or early departure, though rumors circulate that this rule might be changing or is inconsistently enforced, with some associates getting pointed for being late by just a minute or two. 

Is your life ruined with a misdemeanor?

No, a misdemeanor doesn't automatically ruin your life, but it creates significant hurdles like affecting jobs, housing, licenses, and finances, though consequences vary widely and steps like expungement can offer relief, emphasizing the need for legal counsel to understand specific impacts and options. 

Do I have to tell my job if I get a misdemeanor?

Some states have “ban the box” laws that stop employers from asking about criminal history on job applications. In California, employers can't ask about arrests that didn't lead to convictions.

Do most jobs hire people with misdemeanors?

You can generally still get a job with a misdemeanor conviction on your record. But some offenses may make it more difficult or unfeasible to land a specific type of job. For example: a misdemeanor involving theft, fraud, or dishonesty may make it difficult to secure a banking position, or.

What makes a background check fail?

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. 

Will Walmart hire you if you have a warrant?

No. They will not hire people with active warrants or anything they consider a potential danger to the workplace. No. Walmart does a thorough background check.

Does Sam's Club hire people with misdemeanors?

Criminal record: Your criminal record includes any felonies or misdemeanors, arrests, and convictions. Sam's Club may not hire you if it believes your criminal record indicates that you pose a risk to its customers or employees. Less serious misdemeanors won't necessarily preclude you from employment at Sam's Club.

What will fail a Walmart background check?

Walmart disqualifies candidates for serious, recent crimes (theft, violence, fraud, drugs), falsifying applications, poor driving records for driving roles, and active warrants, but may overlook older, non-relevant offenses, with decisions made case-by-case, focusing on safety, integrity, and honesty. Felonies, especially recent ones, are major red flags, but some felons get hired if their records show rehabilitation, while lying on applications leads to immediate rejection. 

What are the red flags for a Walmart background check?

What Would Cause a Red Flag on a Retail Background Check?

  • Criminal Convictions for Theft or Fraud. ...
  • Violent or Aggressive Behavior. ...
  • Poor Employment History or Dishonesty. ...
  • Substance Abuse Issues Revealed in Screening. ...
  • Driving Record Problems (for Delivery or Logistics Roles)

What is the Walmart $1000 bonus?

Walmart introduced a new annual bonus program in June 2024 for its hourly store associates, rewarding them with up to $1,000 per year based on their store's performance and their length of service, with longer tenure increasing bonus potential for both full- and part-time employees. This incentive aims to retain staff by recognizing commitment, with a full-time worker with almost five years potentially earning $350, while a 20-year employee could reach the $1,000 maximum, provided their store meets performance targets. 

Can a misdemeanor stop you from getting a job?

Yes, a misdemeanor can affect employment, especially if it's recent, serious (like theft or violence), or relevant to the job (e.g., a DUI for a driving role), but many factors like "Ban the Box laws," expungement, and your honesty can significantly influence the outcome, with many people finding jobs despite a record. Employers often focus on the crime's nature, severity, and relevance to job duties, with industries like childcare, finance, or healthcare being stricter. Being upfront and explaining rehabilitation can build trust, while some state laws limit how early employers can ask about criminal history. 

How long before a misdemeanor is off your record?

Without expungement, a misdemeanor will stay on your record indefinitely in California. However, by pursuing expungement, you can significantly mitigate the impact of the conviction on your life. We can help.

Does a pending misdemeanor show up on a background check?

For example, California allows the inclusion of all pending charges in background checks. While the state forbids reporting of arrests not resulting in convictions, it doesn't prohibit the reporting of currently pending criminal charges.

What is the hardest background check to pass?

The hardest background checks are typically US government security clearances (especially Top Secret/SCI) and those for high-level law enforcement, involving deep dives into criminal, financial (credit), employment, and personal history (interviews with associates) via extensive forms like the SF-86, far exceeding standard employment screening. These checks scrutinize all life aspects for integrity, reliability, and potential security risks, often requiring disclosure of past drug use, financial issues, and undisclosed criminal records, making them incredibly difficult to pass if issues exist. 

What looks bad on a background check?

Job-related criminal records are red flags because they reflect the relationship between the candidate's past behavior and the performance expected on the job. For instance, recent convictions for writing bad checks or theft are red flags for candidates applying for accounting positions.

When to worry about a background check?

Multiple issues can cause you to fail a background check, including relevant criminal convictions, misrepresentations made on your resume or during your interview, a failed drug test, poor credit record, poor driving history, bad references, and unexplained employment gaps.