10 Biggest Companies That Hire Felons

The 10 biggest companies that hire felons provide a valuable second chance to those who have made mistakes but who wish to lead their lives honestly and respectfully in the future. In the U.S, crimes are divided into broad classes – misdemeanours are crimes that carry a maximum 12 months of imprisonment, while felonies are more serious crimes which have punishments in excess of 12 months. In today’s times of automation, specialization and extreme competitiveness, it is challenging even for people with decent degrees to score a job, let alone felons and ex-convicts.

According to ObamaWhiteHouse, around 70 million U.S citizens have some kind of criminal record. That translates into about one in every three members of the working population. As such, the Obama government launched the ‘Fair Chance Business Pledge’ last year, to remove any obstacles in finding jobs for those with a criminal record. Many prestigious and well-known companies like Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB), Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), Pepsico Inc. (NYSE:PEP), and Xerox Corp. (NYSE:XRX) came forward and signed the pledge granting a second chance to felons.

For further felony-related reading, don’t miss our list of the 7 easiest felonies to commit without realizing it.

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It is difficult for people with a criminal record to find a decent way of making money after they have served their sentence and repaid their debt to society. People hesitate to trust someone with such a background, whether rightfully so or not. But by the same token, these people do deserve the chance to make amends and live a decent life, and the 10 biggest companies that hire felons have taken a step forward in that regard. Some prisons also conduct internal training programs for their inmates that not only keep them busy, but also give them the skills they need to find gainful employment once they are let free.

There are a lot of companies which believe in granting a second chance to ex-convicts. Air transportation companies like British Airways and American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL) hire felons and ex-convicts. Car rental companies like Uber and IT companies like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) also have open policies in regards to hiring felons. The manufacturing & construction and food & hospitality industries also provide these individuals with a second chance to overhaul their lives and move forward. Many big companies have even removed the box asking applicants details about their criminal records on their application forms.

One of the biggest challenges for anyone who is set free after serving his/her sentence is finding a good, legal job. While many of us would think that the chances are minimal, the truth is quite a number of large public companies do hire felons. Over the next few pages, you will learn about the 10 biggest companies that hire felons. We have collated data from various sources like ObamaWhiteHouse, and online communities like JobsForFelonsHub and HelpForFelons, and ranked the companies based on their market capitalization. Check out the list starting on the next page.

10. Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT)

Market Value – $29 billion

Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT), America’s second-largest retail chain employs convicted felons. The company has removed criminal background questions from its job applications, though it still runs a background check before hiring anyone who does not have a violent record. Amongst other things, Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) considers the type and number of convictions, the age of the applicant when the crime was committed, and if the applicant completed his sentence. The company has been promoting its aim to help former felons lead a decent life.

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9. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)

Market Value – $53 billion

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) allows an individual with a felony on their record to work for it. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT), the world’s leading manufacturer of construction, mining and industrial equipment, will heartily employ felons with some mechanical, engineering or repairing skills.

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8. McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD)

Market Value – $106 billion

McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD) ranks 8th in our list of biggest companies that hire felons. It is also a felon-friendly employer. The fast food franchise does not follow any discriminating policy in its hiring practices, and gives a patient ear to one’s story before making its decision. The process is also simple at McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD), requiring the ex-convict to simply fill out an application form online and disclose the fact that he or she is a felon.

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7. Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA)

Market Value – $106 billion

Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA) ranks 7th in our list of biggest companies that hire felons. It is one of the largest aerospace companies in the world, and one which employs convicts after they have served their sentence. Many prison inmates undergo training to become certified aerospace composite technicians and land a job at Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA). The company also has a program that further trains such individuals to work within the company.

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6. Pepsico Inc. (NYSE:PEP)

Market Value – $159 billion

We are continuing our list of biggest companies that hire felons with Pepsico Inc. (NYSE:PEP) that believes in evaluating potential employees in light of their qualifications, having zero tolerance for discrimination of any sort. The company does not seek any information about an applicant’s criminal history at the time of applying. Pepsico Inc. (NYSE:PEP) signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge passed by the Obama government in April 2016, encouraging companies to grant all Americans, including ones with a criminal record, an opportunity to lead a decent life.

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5. Home Depot Inc. (NYSE:HD)

Market Value – $174 billion

Home Depot Inc. (NYSE:HD) ranks fifth on our list of the 10 biggest companies that hire felons. The company is regarded as a felon-friendly employer and maintains an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination and harassment of any form. Home Depot Inc. (NYSE:HD) is also one of the companies which offers the best benefits to its part-time employees and respecting all people is one of the core values of the company.

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4. The Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:KO)

Market Value – $183 billion

The Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:KO) ranks 4th in our list of biggest companies that hire felons. It also employs people with criminal records. The company does not initiate any criminal background screening until a decision to hire the applicant has been made. In case Coca-Cola decides to hire an ex-felon, there is a process to review their case and talent in order to make an informed decision. The company believes in giving a fair second chance to these people. The Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:KO) was amongst the first few signatories to sign the Fair Chance Business Pledge.

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3. General Electric Co. (NYSE:GE)

Market Value – $255 billion

General Electric Co. (NYSE:GE) also hires felons, but its application form has boxes asking for criminal details. The company may also perform background and criminal checks where permitted by law, and process other sensitive candidate data before hiring.

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2 Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM)

Market Value – $341 billion

The oil giant generally hires felons. Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM) that ranks second in our list o f biggest companies that hire felons does not mandate disclosing any sensitive employee information relating to a criminal record. However, the company may use that data in any way as described in its privacy statement, if provided by the applicant.

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1. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Market Value – $736 billion

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is the largest amongst the 10 biggest companies that hire felons. The company does have a ban on hiring people with felony convictions. The company changed its hiring policy back in 2015 to allow applicants even with recent felony records to work for the tech giant. The company has a policy whereby it examines felons, or those who have charges pending against them, on a “case-by-case” basis. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has not yet signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge, which has been signed by other tech giants like Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) and Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG).

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Do felons deserve a second chance, or is it ludicrous that someone with a criminal record is likely gaining employment over someone without a record? Share your thoughts or experiences with our readers in the comments.

Disclosure: None