Felons can’t get driver’s licenses, register as a vendor with Amazon, or get hired by any other company that deals with the public. Of course, felon discrimination is illegal. All employers have to take criminal history into account when hiring new employees and can’t just automatically reject anyone who has been convicted of a felony. But does Amazon Flex hire felons?
Amazon Flex does not specifically state that they will not hire felons, but they do require a background check. Therefore, if an applicant has a felony on their record, it is likely that they will not be hired by Amazon Flex.
Does Amazon Require Background Checks?
Yes, all Amazon Flex drivers are required to undergo a thorough background check. Not all couriers get the same level of vetting, but if you want to drive for Amazon Flex, you’ll need a clean record. You may also be subject to a driving record check and vehicle inspections.
So, be ready to provide your driver’s license, registration, proof of insurance, and vehicle inspection results if you want to drive for Amazon.
Does Amazon Flex Hire Felons?
Amazon does not have a policy against hiring felons, but you will likely have difficulty finding work if you have a history of serious crime. If you’ve served your time and have kept a clean record since then, you’re probably allowed to work for Amazon flex.
However, the company will take your criminal history into account when you apply and may reject your application if they decide you’re not fit to work there. This doesn’t mean you can never work for Amazon or other companies. Employers can only reject you based on your criminal history if it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you were convicted of theft and now want to work as a store clerk, you can be rejected. If you have a history of violent crimes, felonies, and/or crimes against children, you probably won’t get hired by Amazon or any other company.
Why Amazon doesn’t Hire Felons?
Basically, they don’t want to take any unnecessary risks. There are many reasons why they might not want to hire you if you have a criminal past, but here are a few.
First, you might not be legally allowed to work in the United States. Although this is uncommon, it’s possible that you might be an undocumented immigrant or have a visa that doesn’t allow you to work in the United States.
Alternatively, you might have gotten into trouble with the law recently or have a history of committing crimes. Employers can’t discriminate based on race, religion, or sex, but they can turn down applicants for almost any reason. Essentially, you’re taking a risk by putting a criminal past on your resume. If you don’t get the job, you can’t go back and erase that information from your record.
Why Employers Might Be Discriminating Against Felons
A Felony is a Felony is a Felony: While the law may not discriminate against felons, most employers do. In many cases, a felony conviction can prevent you from getting a job, even if you don’t have to work with the public. It’s true that a felony conviction can come with some extenuating circumstances, but these don’t apply to every case.
Jobs Require Trust: Companies hire people based on the risk they pose to their customers. Since you have a history of breaking the law, many employers might think you’ll commit the same crime again. Even if you never would, they don’t know that. This is especially true if you have a felony conviction for a serious crime.
Felony convictions show that you lack judgment and decision-making skills. Employers often want to hire people who can think independently and make good decisions. If you broke the law once and were punished for it, you probably didn’t make the best choice. Most employers want people who will make the right choice every single time.
What to Do if You’re Discriminated against because You’re a Felon
If you’re turned down for a job because you’re a felon, you can file a discrimination complaint. This is a legal way to challenge the hiring decision. You can report the employer to your state’s Human Rights Commission or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) office.
If you have evidence that the hiring decision was discriminatory, they’ll investigate the complaint. If they find that the employer discriminated against you, they’ll order them to hire you or pay you compensation. If you’re applying for a job and you’re asked about your criminal history, you can legally refuse to answer the question. Employers can’t just stop hiring people with criminal records, and they can’t ask about arrests that didn’t lead to convictions. You can also report the employer for discrimination if they don’t hire you after you tell them about your criminal past.
Final Words
Felony convictions can be a major obstacle in your career, especially if you’re trying to make a career change. If you’ve been convicted of a crime, don’t panic. You can challenge the discrimination with the legal process outlined above. You may be able to overcome hiring discrimination with a good story and evidence of your change in character since the conviction.
If you have a felony conviction, don’t give up on your career ambitions. Instead, prepare your story and evidence, and fight for your chance to succeed.
