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. And several companies have been open about their readiness to hire people with prior felony convictions.
Companies That Hire Felons
- Apple
- AT&T
- IBM
- Intel
- Meta
- Microsoft
While federal law does not explicitly protect applicants from discrimination based on their criminal record, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission does offer some guidance on this subject — encouraging companies to consider the individual applicant, the nature of their crimes and how these offenses relate to the performance of a particular job.
Several states and cities have also enacted Ban the Box legislation, which limits employers’ ability to ask about or gain access to an applicant’s criminal record. And hundreds of companies have signed the Fair Chance Pledge, a 2016 initiative that aims to reduce the barriers to education and employment formerly incarcerated people typically face.
Companies That Hire Felons
Google considers qualified applicants regardless of criminal history, provided they possess relevant experience and skills. The company has also signed the Fair Chance Pledge and demonstrated commitment to expanding employment opportunities through educational initiatives, including free tech training programs and the Grow with Google platform.
Cisco supports formerly incarcerated individuals through its Second Chance Justice Reform initiative, which provides IT skills training and mentorship to young people in cities including Chicago and Detroit. Participants gain access to industry-recognized certifications through Cisco Networking Academy in areas like basic IT and cybersecurity, creating pathways to employment and reducing recidivism.
IBM does not ask about criminal background on its initial employment applications and considers applicants with felony records on a case-by-case basis, evaluating the specific nature of the crime and the responsibilities of the role. The company is recognized for its commitment to second-chance hiring and appears on major felon-friendly employer lists.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that considers qualified applicants in its hiring process, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. However, certain felonies may preclude employment at Meta.
Pinterest is an equal opportunity employer that considers qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. The company conducts background checks on all applicants and evaluates criminal records on a case-by-case basis.
Microsoft is a Fair Chance Pledge signatory that delays criminal background checks until after conditional job offers are extended, complying with Ban the Box requirements across multiple states and federal contractor regulations. The company also posts job openings on felon-friendly job boards, with some job descriptions welcoming applications from candidates with criminal histories.
Apple’s employment policy explicitly states that having a criminal record will not necessarily disqualify applicants, with decisions depending on the nature of the position, circumstances of offenses and other relevant information. The company uses HireRight for background checks, and requests criminal records checks only when proportionate and relevant to specific roles based on risk assessment.
Firsthand operates a peer-led mental health platform serving individuals with serious mental illness across multiple states, including Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia and Washington. The company hires people with felony records on a case-by-case basis, viewing criminal history through an individualized lens rather than applying blanket exclusions.
Intel signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge and evaluates applicants individually rather than automatically disqualifying them based on criminal records. The company considers the nature and gravity of the conviction, time elapsed since the offense, and job-relatedness when assessing employability.
United Airlines participates in the Fair Chance Hiring Cohort, a business-led initiative created by the Corporate Coalition of Chicago to reduce employment barriers for people with criminal records. Through the program, the company shares hiring best practices with other major employers to help expand access to jobs and build a more inclusive workforce. The specific roles available at United to people with felony convictions depend on the nature of the offense, but opportunities are generally limited to corporate, administrative and technical positions. Jobs such as flight attendant, pilot, gate agent and baggage handler are typically unavailable because they require federal clearances and airport SIDA badges.
PayPal partners with Next Chapter, an engineering apprenticeship program founded by Slack that helps formerly incarcerated individuals build careers as software engineers. Next Chapter provides technical training, professional mentorship and other support to help individuals build careers in the tech sector, and hiring partner companies are matched with engineers from the program.
CVS Health evaluates applicants with criminal records on a case-by-case basis and does not automatically reject candidates with felony convictions. Its Workforce Initiatives programs provide job training, career coaching and support services to help individuals — including those with criminal backgrounds — build careers in healthcare and retail.
AT&T is a fair chance employer that does not initiate background checks until after an offer is made, demonstrating its commitment to considering qualified applicants with criminal histories. The company is also a supporter of the Ban the Box initiative and Fair Chance Pledge, and has hired individuals with felony and misdemeanor convictions according to Relaunch Pad.
Eaton, a power management company, is a founding member of the Second Chance Business Coalition and has implemented comprehensive hiring practices to remove barriers for individuals with prior felony convictions. The company delays criminal background reviews until after a job offer is accepted, has reduced look-back periods for various offenses and rewrote its job descriptions to encourage applicants with criminal histories to apply. Eaton also tracks key metrics, including the percentage of applicants with criminal records and those completing background reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a job with a felony?
Yes. While the process can be difficult, there are companies willing to give second chance opportunities for previous felons.
What types of jobs hire felons?
Web developers, IT tech support and computer programmers are a few jobs that hire felons.
