If you are convicted as a felon in the U.S., it might become challenging to get employment. You will need to have a good record since your release to get an opportunity in most companies.
Therefore, most people with felony convictions tend to look for job opportunities in retail stores such as Kroger. But does Kroger hire felons? Here’s what you need to know before applying!
Does Kroger Hire Felons In [currentyear]?
Kroger does hire felons in [currentyear]. However, the company evaluates each candidate individually. Therefore, if you were convicted of serious crimes such as violence, sexual offenses, theft, or forgery, Kroger might not hire you to work in any of its stores. Kroger will do a background check and consider how long it has been since the conviction before hiring you.
Keep on reading for more information about what factors would disqualify you from working at Kroger and what the retailer considers during a background check!
What Disqualifies You From Working for Kroger?
Like most retailers, Kroger is an equal opportunity employer; therefore, the company has good hiring practices.
Therefore, if you have a felony on your record, Kroger will consider your application as long as you disclose it.
According to former Kroger employees, the retailer will disqualify you from employment for convictions such as carrying a firearm or weapon, sexual assault, theft, harassment, and drug charges.
Additionally, some of the former employees share that the company has a law that can hire you if it’s been 7 years since you caught the charge.
Based on these comments, it seems that Kroger will hire felons.
However, this will vary depending on the type of felony you were convicted of, the degree of crime, how long it has been since your release, and any new arrests after that.
Kroger won’t hire felons convicted of violence and sexual assault because these are serious crimes that violate personal rights.
In addition, this also applies if you were convicted of forgery or theft because these crimes violate the company’s trust.
Therefore, if you have committed any of these crimes, it’s highly likely that Kroger won’t hire you.
To avoid being disqualified from the hiring process, it’s advisable, to be honest about your record from the start.
What Type of Job Can Felons Do at Kroger?
As the largest supermarket chain in the U.S., Kroger has a wide selection of jobs and departments.
They have about 2,800 locations across the country; therefore, tons of job opportunities.
Therefore, if you are applying for a job and you are a felon, you are more likely to secure entry-level positions such as the following:
- Cashier
- Bagger
- Customer service representative
- Order picker
- Night stocker
- Warehouse worker
This is because most of these positions have lower experience requirements and don’t require advanced educational qualifications.
Therefore, if you are a felon who has been incarcerated for an extended period, Kroger offers an excellent opportunity to start.
On average, a bagger makes about .75 an hour, and cashiers and customer service associates earn $11-$12 an hour.
As a felon, you can also earn some great benefits and utilize flexible work schedules to pursue professional or academic certifications.
Does Kroger Do Background Checks?
If you want to work at Kroger, you have to go through a background check. You have to give permission for the company to carry one out.
Based on reports by former employees, the Kroger background checks cover 5 to 7 years, especially if it’s looking for serious misdemeanors and felonies.
This background check will evaluate your criminal history and, in some cases, involve a drug test depending on the store’s policies.
Kroger background checks are most likely to cover questions about the following:
- Whether you have a valid driver’s license
- Any accidents for the past three years
- Criminal convictions
- The timeline of the convictions
- Information about any rehabilitation you might have received
How Long Does the Kroger Background Check Take?
Once you agree to a background check with Kroger, you can expect feedback in a couple of days. However, according to some current employees, it can take almost two weeks.
Therefore, if you are waiting for feedback from the company, you should be patient and give Kroger time to get back to you.
However, if it takes much longer than usual, you can reach out to Kroger for more information.
Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
While potential employers like Kroger run a background check on employees, you can also run one on yourself
Running a background check earlier gives you a heads up on what Kroger might discover. This also allows you to address any issues with an attorney if you have questions.
Additionally, you can correct any mistakes in your background check report and fix inaccuracies that need to be updated.
You’ll also become aware of all the information that will surface during the background check and prepare explanations for the interview.
If you are aware of all the issues, it becomes much easier to address them when interviewing with Kroger.
To know more, you can also read our posts on what is Kroger, Kroger’s dress code, and does Kroger drug test.
Conclusion
Kroger does hire felons; however, the company evaluates each candidate on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, if you were convicted of serious crimes such as violence, sexual offenses, theft, or forgery, Kroger might not hire you to work in any of its stores.
Kroger will do a background check and consider how long it has been since the conviction before hiring you. You can also do your own background check to fix any inaccuracies and identify mistakes before proceeding with the interview process.
