Felon Friendly Jobs in Ohio | Second Chance Employment
On average, approximately 20,275 felons are released from Ohio state prisons each year, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.
This number doesn’t include those released from local jails, so the actual figure is even higher. Each of these individuals faces the challenge of re-entering society and rebuilding their lives. Source: Prison Policy Initiative
Ohio, a state with a diverse economic landscape, offers various opportunities for those seeking to reintegrate into the workforce.
Latest Felony Jobs (Second Chance) in Ohio - August 2024
Searching for job opportunities that don’t require a background check and living in Ohio? Here are the latest opportunities for offenders in Ohio.
Residents of Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, Dayton, Parma, Canton, Youngstown, Lorain, Hamilton, Springfield, Kettering, Elyria, and Lakewood or any other city in Ohio should apply for the positions mentioned below.
Some of these jobs welcome applicants with no prior experience with felony in OH. Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to secure your position and start your new journey today.
Is Ohio a Felon-Friendly State?
Yes, Ohio is a felon-friendly state, offering supportive measures for individuals with felony records. Ohio offers numerous grant programs for felons in need of financial assistance. These programs are designed to help individuals during difficult times by covering necessities.
While felons lose their voting rights during incarceration, they are automatically restored upon release, allowing them to participate in the democratic process.
Furthermore, second-chance apartments are available in Ohio, providing housing opportunities for felons. These initiatives aim to facilitate reintegration and rehabilitation, making Ohio a state that offers a fresh start for those with felony convictions.
Jobs That Hire Convicted Felons in OHIO
Various industries and companies are known to be more open to hiring ex-offenders. I mention the job category and in that category companies that are felony friendly in PA.
Let’s explore second chance employers, along with job categories and company names and details, that are known to hire felons, providing a pathway to rebuilding lives and securing a brighter future.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing jobs involve producing goods in factories. They often require physical labor and technical skills. These jobs offer steady employment and opportunities for advancement.
- Ford Motor Company: Offers assembly line positions with competitive wages.
- General Electric: Provides roles in equipment assembly and maintenance.
- Procter & Gamble: Hires for manufacturing and packaging positions.
- Whirlpool Corporation: Employs workers for appliance manufacturing.
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company: Recruits for tire production and inspection.
- Honda of America: Offers roles in automobile manufacturing.
- ArcelorMittal: Provides jobs in steel production and processing.
- Owens Corning: Hires for fiberglass and insulation manufacturing roles.
- Sherwin-Williams: Employs workers for paint and coating production.
Construction
Construction jobs include building, repairing, and maintaining structures. These positions often require manual labor and technical skills in trades such as carpentry and plumbing.
- Turner Construction: Provides roles in general contracting and project management.
- Gilbane Building Company: Hires for construction and engineering projects.
- The Albert M. Higley Co.: Offers positions in various construction trades.
- Rudolph Libbe Group: Employs workers for commercial and industrial projects.
- Donley’s Inc.: Recruits for construction management and labor roles.
- Kokosing Construction: Provides opportunities in heavy civil construction.
- Panzica Construction: Hires for residential and commercial building projects.
- Marous Brothers Construction: Offers roles in building and site development.
- Baker Concrete Construction: Provides jobs in concrete work and finishing.
Transportation and Logistics
Transportation and logistics involve the movement and storage of goods. These jobs require organizational skills and often involve driving or operating machinery.
- UPS: Hires for package handling and delivery positions.
- FedEx: Offers roles in shipping and logistics management.
- Ryder System Inc.: Provides opportunities in fleet management and logistics.
- J.B. Hunt Transport: Employs drivers and logistics coordinators.
- Swift Transportation: Recruits for trucking and freight services.
- Cardinal Logistics: Offers positions in transportation and warehouse operations.
- Saia LTL Freight: Provides jobs in freight handling and delivery.
- Old Dominion Freight Line: Hires for logistics and transportation roles.
- Estes Express Lines: Employs workers for shipping and freight management.
Retail
Retail jobs involve selling products directly to consumers. These positions often require customer service skills and the ability to handle transactions.
- Walmart: Provides roles in stocking, cashiering, and customer service.
- Target: Hires for sales floor and logistics positions.
- Home Depot: Offers opportunities in sales and warehouse operations.
- Lowe’s: Employs workers for customer service and stocking roles.
- Kroger: Recruits for grocery stocking and cashier positions.
- Meijer: Provides positions in various retail departments.
- Aldi: Hires for store associate and stocking roles.
- Giant Eagle: Offers jobs in grocery and retail operations.
- Dollar General: Employs workers for sales and inventory management.
Hospitality
Hospitality jobs include roles in hotels, restaurants, and tourism. These positions require customer service skills and the ability to work flexible hours.
- Marriott International: Offers roles in housekeeping and front desk services.
- Hilton Hotels: Hires for food service and guest relations positions.
- Hyatt Hotels: Provides opportunities in event planning and maintenance.
- Darden Restaurants: Employs workers for food preparation and service roles.
- Olive Garden: Recruits for server and kitchen positions.
- McDonald’s: Offers positions in food service and management.
- Wendy’s: Hires for food service and kitchen roles.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill: Provides jobs in food preparation and customer service.
- Holiday Inn: Employs workers for housekeeping and front desk positions.
Healthcare
Healthcare jobs involve providing medical services to patients. These positions often require specialized training and certifications.
- Cleveland Clinic: Hires for medical support and administrative roles.
- OhioHealth: Provides opportunities in nursing and patient care.
- University Hospitals: Employs workers for medical and support services.
- Mount Carmel Health: Recruits for healthcare administration and clinical roles.
- Mercy Health: Offers positions in patient care and hospital operations.
- Akron Children’s Hospital: Provides roles in pediatric care and support.
- The MetroHealth System: Hires for medical and administrative positions.
- Summa Health: Offers jobs in patient care and medical support.
- Genesis Healthcare System: Employs workers for clinical and support services.
Food Production
Food production jobs involve processing and packaging food products. These positions require attention to detail and adherence to safety standards.
- Smithfield Foods: Hires for meat processing and packaging roles.
- Tyson Foods: Provides opportunities in poultry processing and logistics.
- Nestlé USA: Employs workers for food production and quality control.
- J.M. Smucker Company: Recruits for manufacturing and packaging positions.
- Conagra Brands: Offers roles in food processing and warehouse operations.
- Kraft Heinz: Provides positions in production and quality assurance.
- Bob Evans Farms: Hires for food production and packaging.
- Shearer’s Foods: Offers jobs in snack food manufacturing.
- Ohio Packing Co.: Employs workers for meat processing and packaging.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning and maintenance jobs involve keeping buildings and facilities clean and operational. These positions require attention to detail and reliability.
- ABM Industries: Hires for janitorial and maintenance roles.
- ServiceMaster: Provides opportunities in cleaning and restoration services.
- Jani-King: Employs workers for commercial cleaning positions.
- Sodexo: Recruits for facilities management and custodial roles.
- Stanley Steemer: Offers positions in carpet cleaning and restoration.
- ISS Facility Services: Provides roles in building maintenance and cleaning.
- The Budd Group: Hires for janitorial and maintenance services.
- Kimco Facility Services: Offers jobs in commercial cleaning.
- Vanguard Cleaning Systems: Employs workers for cleaning and janitorial services.
Customer Service
Customer service jobs involve assisting customers with inquiries and resolving issues. These positions require strong communication skills and patience.
- AT&T: Hires for call center and support roles.
- Verizon: Provides opportunities in customer service and sales.
- Spectrum: Employs workers for technical support and billing inquiries.
- T-Mobile: Recruits for customer care and retail positions.
- American Express: Offers roles in customer service and account management.
- Progressive Insurance: Provides positions in claims support and customer relations.
- Huntington Bank: Hires for banking customer service roles.
- PNC Bank: Offers jobs in customer support and banking services.
- Fifth Third Bank: Employs workers for customer service and financial support.
Technology
Technology jobs involve working with computers and software. These positions require technical skills and often involve problem-solving and innovation.
- IBM: Hires for IT support and software development roles.
- Microsoft: Provides opportunities in technical support and engineering.
- Cisco Systems: Employs workers for network management and security.
- Oracle: Recruits for database management and software development positions.
- Intel: Offers roles in technology manufacturing and R&D.
- Hewlett-Packard: Provides positions in IT services and support.
- Diebold Nixdorf: Hires for technology and software development roles.
- Rockwell Automation: Offers jobs in industrial automation and IT support.
- Nationwide: Employs workers for IT and cybersecurity positions.
Agriculture
Agriculture jobs involve working on farms and in food production. These positions require physical labor and knowledge of farming techniques.
- Smithfield Foods: Hires for farm management and livestock care roles.
- Tyson Foods: Provides opportunities in agricultural production and logistics.
- Cargill: Employs workers for farming and food processing positions.
- Monsanto: Recruits for agricultural research and development roles.
- Archer Daniels Midland: Offers positions in grain production and processing.
- Pioneer Hi-Bred International: Provides roles in seed production and agriculture.
- Ohio Farmers Union: Hires for various agricultural positions.
- Bob Evans Farms: Offers jobs in farming and food production.
- Heritage Cooperative: Employs workers for agricultural services and support.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications jobs involve providing communication services. These positions require technical skills and knowledge of communication systems.
- Verizon: Hires for network management and customer support roles.
- AT&T: Provides opportunities in telecommunications and IT support.
- T-Mobile: Employs workers for technical support and network maintenance.
- Sprint: Recruits for customer service and technical positions.
- CenturyLink: Offers roles in telecommunications infrastructure and support.
- Frontier Communications: Provides positions in network operations and customer care.
- WOW! Internet: Hires for installation and customer support services.
- Comcast: Offers jobs in customer service and network maintenance.
- Cincinnati Bell: Employs workers for telecommunications services and support.
Warehousing
Warehousing jobs involve storing and managing goods. These positions require organizational skills and the ability to operate machinery.
- Amazon: Hires for warehouse and logistics roles.
- Walmart Distribution Centers: Provides opportunities in shipping and receiving.
- FedEx Supply Chain: Employs workers for inventory management and logistics.
- UPS Warehousing: Recruits for storage and distribution positions.
- XPO Logistics: Offers roles in warehouse operations and management.
- DHL Supply Chain: Provides positions in warehousing and logistics support.
- Kroger Distribution Centers: Hires for warehouse and logistics operations.
- Meijer Distribution: Offers jobs in inventory and shipping.
- Cardinal Health: Employs workers for distribution and logistics services.
Automotive
Automotive jobs involve working with vehicles and their components. These positions require mechanical skills and knowledge of automotive systems.
- Honda of America: Hires for automotive assembly and maintenance roles.
- Ford Motor Company: Provides opportunities in vehicle manufacturing and repair.
- General Motors: Employs workers for automotive production and quality control.
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company: Recruits for tire manufacturing and testing positions.
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing: Offers roles in automotive production and logistics.
- Chrysler Group: Provides positions in vehicle assembly and maintenance.
- Bridgestone: Hires for tire production and automotive services.
- AutoZone: Offers jobs in automotive parts and customer service.
- Firestone Complete Auto Care: Employs workers for automotive repair and maintenance.
Recycling and Waste Management
Recycling and waste management jobs involve handling and processing waste materials. These positions require physical labor and adherence to safety protocols.
- Waste Management Inc.: Hires for waste collection and recycling roles.
- Republic Services: Provides opportunities in waste management and logistics.
- Casella Waste Systems: Employs workers for recycling and disposal services.
- Stericycle: Recruits for medical waste management and processing positions.
- Clean Harbors: Offers roles in hazardous waste management and cleanup.
- Waste Connections: Provides positions in waste collection and recycling operations.
- Rumpke Waste & Recycling: Hires for recycling and waste collection roles.
- Kimble Companies: Offers jobs in waste management and recycling services.
- Advanced Disposal Services: Employs workers for waste and recycling operations.
Job Market Size of OHIO for Felons
In Ohio, the employment outlook for felons has shown positive trends over the past few years. In 2022, about 21,500 felons were released, and 15,700 of them secured employment, reducing the unemployment rate for this group to 27%.
Sourse:
- Out of Prison & Out of Work
- Formerly incarcerated people’s employment reveal labor
The following year, 2023, saw continued improvement with 22,000 felons released and 17,000 finding jobs, bringing the unemployment rate down to 25% (Policy Matters Ohio | Cleveland, OH) (Bureau of Prisons). These numbers reflect growing support and awareness among employers regarding the benefits of hiring formerly incarcerated individuals, indicating hopeful progress towards better reintegration and opportunities for this population.
Background Check Limits For Felons in Ohio
Employers are allowed to conduct background checks on prospective employees, including those with felony convictions. However, there are specific legal frameworks and guidelines they must follow to ensure compliance with federal and state laws.
Here are some key considerations for felons screening :
Ban-the-Box Legislation
Ohio has implemented “ban-the-box” policies for public employers, which means that public employers cannot ask about an applicant’s criminal history on the initial job application. This policy aims to provide individuals with a criminal history a fair chance at employment.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Employers in Ohio must comply with the FCRA when conducting background checks. This federal law requires employers to:
- Obtain written consent from the applicant before conducting a background check.
- Provide a clear and conspicuous disclosure that a background check will be conducted.
- Notify the applicant if any adverse action is taken based on the background check and provide a copy of the report along with a summary of the applicant’s rights under the FCRA.
Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) Guidelines
The OCRC advises employers to consider the nature of the offense, the time that has elapsed since the offense, and the nature of the job being sought when evaluating an applicant’s criminal history.
This ensures that decisions are made fairly and do not disproportionately affect individuals with criminal records.
EEOC Guidelines
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) provides guidelines for employers to avoid discrimination based on criminal history. Employers should conduct an individualized assessment, considering factors such as the nature of the crime, the time elapsed, and the nature of the job.
Which other states offer Second Chance Employment?
Job Resources
Here’s a comprehensive guide to organizations, job boards, training programs, and other resources that offer support to offenders and convicted felons seeking employment in Ohio.
OhioMeansJobs
OhioMeansJobs centers across the state offer resources tailored to help felons find employment. Services include resume writing, job search assistance, and access to job fairs. Seven OhioMeansJobs centers in major cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati provide targeted support for felons.
Goodwill Industries
Goodwill Industries of Ohio provides employment services specifically for individuals with criminal records. They offer job training, placement services, and ongoing support to help felons maintain employment. Examples of jobs include retail, warehousing, and customer service positions.
The Fortune Society
The Fortune Society, based in Ohio, assists felons with job placement, housing, and education. Their programs include skills training and job readiness workshops. For instance, they helped over 500 individuals find jobs in 2023.
Indeed
Search for “felony jobs” or “second chance jobs” in Pennsylvania. Indeed allows you to filter your search by location and job type.
SimplyHired
Search for “felony friendly employers” in Pennsylvania. SimplyHired connects job seekers with employers who are open to hiring individuals with criminal records.
LifeChangers, Inc.
This organization offers a compilation of resources for felons seeking employment, including financial assistance programs and links to job boards.
Fiverr
Fiverr is a global online marketplace offering tasks and services, starting at $5 per job. It’s a great platform for felons to offer freelance services such as graphic design, writing, programming, and more.
Upwork
Upwork connects freelancers with clients in need of various services, ranging from web development to administrative support. Felons can create profiles, showcase their skills, and bid on projects.
Final Thoughts
Imagine being one of the 20,275 felons released from Ohio state prisons each year, facing the daunting challenge of rebuilding your life. The struggle is real, but there’s hope! Many companies in Ohio are willing to give you a second chance, regardless of your past. From manufacturing and construction to customer service and technology, there are numerous job opportunities available.
Organizations like Goodwill Industries and The Fortune Society offer specialized support and resources to help you find employment. Don’t let your past define you – there are people and companies who believe in your potential. Take the first step towards a brighter future and explore these resources today!
FAQs
Yes, industries in Ohio that are more likely to hire individuals with a criminal record include warehousing, food service, customer service, construction, healthcare, transportation, retail, IT, sales, hospitality, manufacturing, logistics, energy, and government.
Individuals with a criminal record can improve their chances of finding employment in Ohio by seeking professional help, building a strong resume, practicing interview skills, networking, and being honest about their criminal record.
Yes, resources and programs in Ohio that help felons find job opportunities include the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio Department of Labor, OhioMeansJobs, Goodwill Industries of Ohio, and the Salvation Army of Ohio.
Yes, employers in Ohio have the right to conduct background checks on job applicants, but must follow federal and state laws.
Individuals with a criminal record have the right to be considered for employment based on their qualifications, have their criminal record considered in context, and not be discriminated against.
Yes, there are restrictions on the types of jobs felons can apply for in Ohio, including jobs working with children or vulnerable populations, handling money or sensitive financial information, and working in sensitive industries.
Individuals with a criminal record should address their past during job interviews by being honest, explaining circumstances, highlighting rehabilitation, and emphasizing skills and qualifications.
Yes, companies in Ohio known for hiring individuals with criminal records include Dave’s Killer Bread, Greyston Bakery, Homeboy Industries, Goodwill Industries of Ohio, and the Salvation Army of Ohio.
Individuals with a criminal record can build a successful career in Ohio by seeking help, building a strong resume, networking, being honest, highlighting rehabilitation, and emphasizing skills and qualifications.
