job for felons

[buzz2400]

My nephew, 21, is a convicted felon. He was into drugs and stole things. He served his time. He is now looking for a job but can't seem to find one. My sister is very upset about this whole thing because if he can't find a job, he can't rent an apartment. He is out on the streets on 10/1. Does anyone know of a company who does hire felons. He lives in Connecticut. Thanks in advance.

 

[goldcupmom]

I don't know anything about where you are, but here in NM, when they get out, they are given a list of places that will consider hiring them. WalMart here is on that list, as is a local arena(event center). A friend is a receptionist at the event center and a man came in, very humble & embarassed, looking for a job and showed her the list to try to confirm he was in the right spot. She said he was REALLY SCARY!!!!!!!

good luck to your nephew with a fresh start!!

 

[DawnCt1]

Can his parole department or probation help him? Everyone does background checks now, even for the most entry level jobs. On one hand, you can't blame them. Employers need the comfort of knowing if they are hiring a violent person, one who has embezzled from the company; etc. On the other hand, we have an entire population of mostly young men, who have served their time, paid their debt to society, solved their drug problems that have often lead them into crime in the first place, gone to college, have skills, and yet can't get jobs. I think that there should be a means to have your record sealed after "X" amount of years crime free and that it should be decided on an individual basis. I think that 21 is a very young age to have one's fate sealed forever.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Did you know employers also check Facebook and Myspace accounts?

An acquaintance of mine was denied employment because she had a pic of herself holding a beer on Myspace and she was only 20.

Yikes!

 

[SundancePass]

I wish him all kinds of success as it will be exceedingly difficult for him to find a job. OUr employer does not hire anyone convicted of a felony in the last seven years. Most have to have the applicant "off paper" for at least 7 years. And for some others there is a "no felonies ever" policy.

His PO should have a list of places for him to go. Also even though it might be last on his list, try temporary companies. Many of them don't care about "records" and don't conduct criminal background checks...or at least that's so here....and he can find work there. If his assignment is long-term, he can go from there.

Try every small business he can find. Those owners are much more willing to give a person a chance than the Fortune 500 companies.

Good luck to him!

 

[Camicar]

Well, there was an article in the local paper recently about the number of teachers who are convicted felons bec schools are not doing background checks.

Seriously though, what does his parole officer say? In this state, you cannot refuse to hire someone based upon their criminal history, even if they were a pedophilic murderer. So what are his rights vis a vis employment? His officer should also be able to help point him in the right direction in terms of companies who will hire.

He should also contact some religious service organizations and places like Goodwill and the Salvation Army. I know an ecumenical organization here that helps such people find work in entry level manual labor jobs, which is better than nothing.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Is there an entertainment company near where you are? We tend to hire people based on a want or a need to do a job and not so much on the felony stuff, depending on what the felony was... and there is often a junior position open for someone willing to work hard (runner, reception, assistant, personal assistant).


Also, he knows to never lie, right? He stands a better time of getting hired by coming up front about his history and zero chance if he is considered for the job and they find out he lied about his past.

 

[Cool-Beans]

We hired a felon. Had a 12 year gap on his resume. When asked about it, he replied, "I was institutionalized."

"Institutionalized. Are you crazy or criminal?" He got a funny look on his face. "Nevermind. I don't want to know."

He was the one who most seemed like he wanted to work, so the job was his.

Try small businesses. They are more likely to care more about who will work hard than they do about paperwork and background checks and crap.

Best of luck.

 

[kellyg403]

Also, he knows to never lie, right? He stands a better time of getting hired by coming up front about his history and zero chance if he is considered for the job and they find out he lied about his past.

I second this. I have to let go of some of the best employees because they didn't put history on their application. I work for a grocery store and believe it or not they do at random background checks on employees. One kid I had walked to work rain/sleet/snow, always early and just a fabulous worker. Then the background check came back.

Check with some local grocery stores and see what their policy is. Depending on "what" his felony is and is upfront about it, he is still can be considered for employment where he does not work with machinery or money. Think stocker.

Kelly

 

[mamajoan]

I was wondering... what about trucking companies?
It seems some discount stores like Big Lots, Garden Ridge, WalMart, SAM's... will hire people with a record.

Also... ask him who he is using for current references... sometimes having a minister, lawyers, local business people that will give him a good reference will help in his job search.
Best wishes!

jmho...
I believe that non-violent crimes should have a process to be wiped off a record if there is not a history of continuous crimes- Especially for kids who did something stupid before they turned 21 and have been able to maintain a clean record.

 

[Feeln'Froggy]

My cousin is a twice convicted felon, this may sound yucky but, he works for the local funeral home picking up "clients”. He gets paid by the call out, he drives his car to the funereal home picks up their vehicle and does the delivery, usually between the morgue and the funeral home.
It doesn't pay bad either.

 

[nannerbadnanner]

Please ask him to visit his local unemployment agency. They should have a list on hand of companies that hire someone with a record. I would suggest restaurants (cooking or bussing) and small businesses.

I would also suggest tryingh temp agencies. When I worked in staffing, we had many companies that did not require background checks. Tell him to be honest on his application, and many agencies will try to place him.

 

[happygirl]

Try resturants that would be his best bet

 

[buzz2400]

thank you for all the responses. I will forward all of the info to my sister.

 

[SeeVee]

Not much advise other than to say this is why is it sooooooo important to tell children about drugs and the negative effects it can have on one's adult life.

He is going to need a lotta a luck. I fell for him.

 

[kellyg403]

Not much advise other than to say this is why is it sooooooo important to tell children about drugs and the negative effects it can have on one's adult life.

He is going to need a lotta a luck. I fell for him.

The unfortunate thing is that some people have to live it, telling them is like taking a horse to water, you can't make him drink.

A person who makes a mistake with their life choices when they are but 21 really do deserve another chance to make it right. It can't be the thing that defines them at only 21. Now a habitual offender that is another story. OP I personally hope your nephew is able to get his life back together and take these hard lessons he is living and use them as stepping stones for good things in the future.

Kelly

 

[C.Ann]

Yes - it may be tough - but if he keeps at it, sooner or later someone is going to be willing to give him a second chance..

 

[disney1990]

Did you know employers also check Facebook and Myspace accounts?

An acquaintance of mine was denied employment because she had a pic of herself holding a beer on Myspace and she was only 20.

Yikes!

Yes, parents need to stress this to their children. My 23 year old DD lets me read her facebook page. If I think anything is inappropriate, I let her know immediately.

 

[KirstenB]

How about apprenticing a trade? Based on what I saw when we built our house, the most important characteristic was a willingness to really work hard and hustle. Time is money.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

KFC is the place around here where it seems like everyone goes as soon as they get out of prison, has he checked into fast food yet?