Does Walmart Hire Individuals with Criminal Backgrounds, Including Sex Offenders?
Introduction: If you’re considering applying for a job at Walmart and have questions about their hiring practices regarding criminal backgrounds, you’re not alone. Many individuals wonder how past mistakes might impact their employment opportunities. Let’s explore some common concerns and shed light on Walmart’s practices.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Walmart proudly identifies as an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing employment opportunities to qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds. However, it’s essential to understand how their hiring process works in practice, particularly related to background checks.
Navigating Background Checks: One question that often arises is whether Walmart hires individuals with criminal backgrounds, including sex offenders. While Walmart prioritizes safety for both customers and employees, their hiring decisions are based on various factors, including legal regulations, company policies, and the nature of the specific position. According to publicly available information, Walmart conducts thorough background checks as part of their hiring process.
What Background Checks Consider: Background checks can vary depending on the position and company, but they typically examine factors such as criminal history, employment history, education verification, and reference checks. The focus of the background check will likely be on offenses relevant to the job duties and company policies.
Understanding Each Situation: While there may be instances where individuals with certain criminal backgrounds are hired at Walmart, it’s crucial to recognize that each situation is unique. Walmart strives to make fair and informed decisions that align with their commitment to safety and opportunity.
Addressing Misconceptions: It’s natural to hear stories or rumors about Walmart’s hiring practices. However, it’s essential to approach these with caution and skepticism. While there may be instances where individuals feel their applications were unfairly rejected, it’s important to consider the complexities involved in background checks and hiring decisions.
Encouraging Advocacy and Awareness: As we navigate discussions about employment opportunities for individuals with criminal backgrounds, it’s important to advocate for fair and equitable practices across all industries. By raising awareness and engaging in constructive dialogue, we can work towards a society that supports rehabilitation and second chances.
Conclusion: As you explore your employment options, including opportunities at Walmart, it’s crucial to gather information and ask questions. Understanding a company’s background check policies and practices can empower you to make informed decisions about your job search.
Resources: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Link
I applied at Wal Mart and never even got a response. It’s one thing to say you hire SO’s, it’s another thing to actually do it.
Yes this seems to be the trend for retail in general. We have seen many sex offenders apply there. Most have gotten the job only to get the same background check issues.
Why would anyone want to work at Walmart or in retail in general. They are the worst jobs on the planet, they pay pitifully, you get abused by customers daily, their benefits are abysmal. And there is literally no chance for advancement to make a ‘real’ living wage above subsistence living which is what most retail jobs attempt to cover and fail miserably.
There are better things to do with one’s self for gainful employment.
I completely agree, However as you know most sex offenders need a leg up to get ahead in life. Taking a minimum wadge job is a stepping stone for many.
I could not agree with you more.
It helps if you don’t have a monkey on your back that takes all your money. ie smoking drinking, drugs gambling ect. I once worked for 65 bucks a day driving a log truck for a tree service. I ate two 50cent burritos and ramen noodles for dinner with water and listened to a ten dollar radio and went to bed .
I never complained about my situation. I waited until I got a better paying job and improved my living situation. Step by step is the key!
I don’t think it’s that anyone wants to work at walmart, but i think it’s because offenders like myself may realize it’s not the best place to work, and because i don’t have the best reputation, maybe they’ll hire me. Like attracts like. As an offender, I have aimed pretty high considering my background and have been turned down many times. I was even fired after my employer found out i was a registered sex offender. These kinds of things make you wonder if you even have a chance at places like Walmart. So then you apply. I myself have never applied, but after reading about Walmart vs. Vlasek, I don’t think I will. As for me finding another part time job, it seems that even though the offense happened ten years ago, people are still affected by it. Ironically, i’ve reconciled my relationship with the victims and their families, but the stigma does not go away.
Walmart does hire sex offenders. They give them a priority on the hiring list, as do they with welfare recipients, in order to get tax breaks. Let any one who is not a criminal, or who has made consumer complaints against walmart , try to apply, and they don’t get the job! You let tour kids shop here thinking they could be safe…………………..think again!
Actually we have not had a sex offender hired at Walmart in a very long time. One may slip through the cracks here and there, however as a general rule they do not hire sex offenders. They also run a background check that is global on people who are convicted of felonies. Please do not give sex offenders false hope. As for giving them priority… You are very misinformed.
I agree with the idea that sex offenders need to be added to a protected class when it comes to employment. That protection should only extend to the point that the job doesn’t put the offender around those he or she is tempted to offend against. E.g. No one expects a convicted child rapist to be able to get a job working directly with or in close/immediate proximity to children. So, if a child rapist is qualified as say an I.T. technician and applies for a job in an office complex with an all-adult environment then he should be able to get that job without his or her past being held against them.
Unfortunately, places like Sprint and Vitamin World, of which I applied won’t hire registered sex offenders even if their offense happened ten years ago. People won’t take a second look if they even see “registered” which is sad because i’m in a way better place than i was 10 years ago. They don’t see that. They don’t even see the fact that your abiding by the law to “register” in the first place.
Seems pretty stupid, when you consider under the very act of the EOE, it is by definition a biased against such a felon, despite the applicant possibly not being deemed a minority.
Your comments about sex offenders show that most of you are ignorant about the stats on Sex offenders.
Most sex offenders like myself offender against a family member and have gone through anguish ,humiliation ,bullying and oppression due to unforgiving attitudes from ex criminals who think their crime is (KOOL) to paranoid members of society who think theres a pervert hiding under every rock.
People who fit the stereotype of Class one Pedophile do not get out of prison in states that have civil commitment. Now about jobs. If you can get your cdl like I did and you have what it takes to be a trucker, there is a way for you to build a skill that will keep you employed. I did it. I came out homeless in 2003.
In four years I was a home owner. I have helped many felons find work and have even rented out two rooms to sex offenders. they have moved up in the world and no longer rent from me. How many drug felons can say they have helped anyone but themselves. Any Sex offenders want to be a trucker?
send me an email to [email protected] and I will give you a plan to success. I only have time to help sex offenders only. You other guys have more resources than us bad boys so go get help from them.
I read your comment. My son is a sex offender for a very stupid incident. Anyway he was thinking about truck driving, however, I did some research and the situation out there is they give you a CDL license even though they know no trucking company will hire you because they want your money. Do u know something I don’t know? My son lives in eastern Pa.
Here in Washington State, I know many guys who got their CDL and are driving truck, and one guy needed, and was able to get, a TWIC so that he can drive into the Port of Seattle. That’s a bit more complicated, but once you get a CDL here, there are plenty of jobs. He was hired before even completing the class! I myself am an older sex offender, and disabled with a back condition. There are ZERO jobs available for me that I can do. I would like to return to work, but it won’t happen.
I have been offered a job through Walmart in the tire and lube center I went fory interview and I’m a registered sex offender I am way over qualified for the job the manager told me but offered me the job cuz of my experience with automobiles I go tomorrow to fill out paperwork for a background check I have it stated on my application about my offense im afraid to go to just be turned down by something that I already informed them about
Please give us a follow up on this if you can, In our experience, they will not hire sex offenders.
Way happen
procteted classification isn our salvation, there needs to be more social information regarding phsycology (at least watching David Eaglemans (brain) documentary), social stigmas, statistics from both sides of the issue,ect.THE MORE ONE KNOWS ABOUT SOME THING THE LESS AFRAID/HATEFULL THEY’LL BE ABOUT IT
I recieved the results of my background check, as i requested them, and in small letters sex offender check came up positive.
My status as an employee came back negative.
taco bell will
I am currently waiting on a Walmart distribution center job.They called me their to a stress test, (my gas and time),I passed,Then they called me back to go over paperwork and do a drug test.Then they gave me a website to go to for my background check.I was completely honest.I have heard nothing.So I would say NO Walmart does not hire sex offnders.
Costco i dont think will hire offenders either
I too recently applied at wal-Mart & the article is EXACTLY ,word for word how I was done. I mean being unemployed is bad enough but to put you through this emotional rollercoaster is just insane.
I mean if there’s not a chance of you hiring me….then for heaven’s sake just tell me. Don’t waste my time telling me to “come in in & we’ll see.”. If it weren’t for the graces if an all powerful God in Heaven ,my family would be starving.
Here’s something else I don’t understand… Why are we the ONLY convicts that have to register? Murderers don’t,repeat drug offenders don’t, theifs don’t….I mean they’ve made this to where no matter the severity if your crime they ( the state) throws you into this pool that ,in effect, ties your hands behind your back & then says “GO SUPPORT YOUR SELF ; YOUR FAMILY!” I have been on the registry for 10 years & it doesn’t get easier. I’ve literally Sat down & cried when my 10 yr.old daughter asked me if we were bankrupt. Thank God in heaven that we have His promise that He’ll make a way where there seems none.
God bless you
So long for walmarts claim to being an equal opportunity employer! They like millions companies don’t recognize that sex offenders need to have jobs instead of being relentlessly rejected by potential employers because of their status in society! I guess walmart is too proud or too scared to hire registered sex offenders when all they’re looking is another chance and get back on their feet!
I not get it. the count said that I could be Rehabilitation. Here I am 30 years later and I cant get and job or a place to live. and on top of that I have a special needs son. What can I do to make our life better with all these road blocks.
Seriously folks, do you actually think a FAMILY business, such as WalMart, that caters to the public would hire an Sex Offender? Too many temptations, and too many things that would not meet the approval of your conditions. Hell, I’ve been trying to get work in the Auto Parts business (got over 15 years expe. I am guilty of my offense) and still nothing 2 years later.