With the job market scattered following the pandemic of 2020, a number of people are turning toward national companies like UPS for steady work.
Therefore, a common question asked by potential candidates is, does UPS hire felons?
This article aims to clear up any doubts and misconceptions in regards to the relationship between an individual's criminal background and the hiring process at UPS.
UPS hires at least 90,000 seasonal packagers each year to help during holiday times.
That being said, they are not picky with what they are looking for, they just need employees to work demanding shifts potentially of up to 12 hours.
On the plus side, you will be landing a steady job with a nationally-renowned company!
What to bear in mind when applying for UPS?
UPS has a history of hiring felons, so keep this in mind when applying for any of the positions at UPS.
The top opportunities for felons at UPS are: delivery driver assistant, package handler, seasonal employment, and a warehouse worker.
Note: just because they hire felons does not mean they hire all felons. This factor will likely depend on the severity of the charge and the current demand for employees at the UPS factory you're applying to.
Just like any job, UPS does perform initial background checks. However, being a felony will not bar you from getting the job.
The severity of the charge will likely be the determining factor in whether or not you get the job with regards to your criminal record.
What does the background screening consist of?
UPS 's background screening consists of looking up criminal convictions.
If you have a repeated history of theft, drug trafficking, and violent crimes, you will not get a job working for UPS. This is in place for the general safety of the employees of UPS.
What does UPS look for when looking into felons?
While looking into your background check, UPS looks to see the time since you completed your sentence.
Afterwards, they look to see how severe the conviction is based on the specific charges.
Once they finish those steps they look to see if you have multiple charges. If all that comes back clean then you're one step closer to being employed by UPS.
States that do not allow any felony conviction information older than seven years include:
- California
- Colorado
- Kansas
- New York
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Texas
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- Washington
- Montana
States that will not report if the person was not guilty include:
- Hawaii
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Indiana
- Alaska
- California
- Michigan
- New York
These states report any and all convictions:
- North Carolina
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- DC
- Florida
- West Virginia
- Virginia
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- South Carolina
- Maine
- Utah
- Tennessee
- Wyoming
- Wisconsin
- Vermont
Is UPS felon friendly?
From all the information gathered I can come to the conclusion that UPS is very felon friendly.
We have had sources tell us that some UPS employees have shown huge and wonderful progress on moving to higher positions.
They have even added to their team people who have grand theft charges all because of how outstanding they were to the hiring mangers.
Does UPS drug test?
From all the information gathered about UPS, it has been confirmed that, in general, they do not drug test.
That being said, that even means to be a driver or a forklift driver, you do not get drug tested.
What do I need to know before applying as a UPS package handler?
UPS needs people who can lift up to and potentially over 50lbs. Anyone who is in good health and can do a lot of loading and unloading by themselves would be an ideal candidate for this position.
Being a package handler, know your hours may range from four to 12.
What should I look for when applying as a UPS delivery driver?
UPS delivery drivers have a lot that is expected of them. For example, you have to be okay with the fact that someone is always watching your location remotely.
Note: before you even get the chance to become a driver you, along with anyone else wanting to be a UPS driver, have to pass a specialized boot camp called "Integrad."
You cannot make left turns or back up unless pulling into a loading dock.
At UPS their trucks are not called trucks but "package cars". UPS drivers are always rewarded for doing good and taking care of the customer.
But being a driver means you have to say goodbye to the facial hair and hello to great money.
Overall the main question is, does UPS hire felons?
UPS does hire felons, and they do not judge you on being one. UPS does not discriminate against felons.
The only way being a felon will keep you from getting a job with UPS is if it was a serious or life-threating conviction and if you have a repeated history of such.
With this in mind, it is up to you to decide whether or not it is worth applying for a UPS position based on your previous criminal history.
In general, UPS is more lenient when it comes to lighter charges than other major companies.
