Felon Friendly Jobs in Tennessee | Second Chance
In Tennessee, 10% of the population has a criminal record, but the state promotes second-chance employment. Over 60% of employers are willing to consider hiring individuals with criminal records, and 30% have already done so, resulting in lower recidivism rates. The state offers tax incentives and training programs for employers, increasing felon-friendly job opportunities.
Latest Second chance Jobs in Tennessee
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Places That Hire Felons in Tennessee
In Tennessee, several sectors and small businesses are open to hiring felons, providing opportunities for individuals to re-enter the workforce and rebuild their lives. These sectors and businesses are known for offering second-chance employment, focusing on skills rather than criminal history.
1. Construction Industry
The construction industry is one of the most felon-friendly sectors in Tennessee. Companies in this field, such as contractors, construction companies, and building material suppliers, often have a high demand for labor and value skills like carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and electrical work. Many construction jobs do not require extensive background checks, making it a great field for individuals with felony convictions to start anew.
2. Manufacturing and Warehousing
Manufacturing companies and warehouses across Tennessee are also known to hire felons. Positions in assembly lines, quality control, machine operation, and packaging are available in both large manufacturing plants and small-scale warehouses. These jobs typically offer on-the-job training, and employers are more likely to overlook criminal records if applicants demonstrate a strong work ethic and reliability.
3. Food Service Industry
The food service industry, including restaurants, catering services, and food delivery companies, is another sector that hires felons. Many restaurant chains, small cafes, and catering businesses in cities like Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis offer flexible entry-level positions like cooks, dishwashers, servers, and delivery drivers. Small businesses in the food industry are particularly open to giving people a second chance.
4. Retail and Customer Service
Retail stores and customer service-based businesses in Tennessee are often willing to hire felons for entry-level positions such as cashiers, stock clerks, and customer service representatives. Smaller, locally-owned stores are particularly more flexible with background checks compared to larger corporate chains. Some businesses value the interpersonal skills that felons may have gained through past experiences, making this a viable option for employment.
5. Transportation and Delivery Services
Small businesses in transportation, such as trucking companies, delivery services, and taxi services, are known to hire felons, especially for roles like delivery drivers or truck drivers. Certain positions may require specific licenses or certifications, but many employers in this field are open to giving individuals with a criminal record a second chance, particularly if they have a clean driving record.
6. Landscaping and Groundskeeping
Landscaping companies and small local businesses in Tennessee that focus on lawn care, tree trimming, or property maintenance are often more willing to hire felons. These roles require physical labor and are focused more on performance and reliability rather than background checks, making them an excellent option for individuals seeking employment.
List of Specific Companies Hiring Felons in Tennessee
Here is a list of specific companies in Tennessee that are known to hire individuals with felony convictions. These companies across various industries value skills, work ethic, and experience over criminal history, offering second-chance employment opportunities.
| Company Name | Industry | Position Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waste Management | Waste Management & Recycling | Driver, Laborer, Equipment Operator | Known for hiring felons, with various labor positions available. |
| Cognizant Technology Solutions | Information Technology | IT Support, Customer Service Representative, Software Developer | Offers tech roles for felons, especially in customer service and IT. |
| Home Depot | Retail | Sales Associate, Cashier, Stock Clerk | Committed to hiring felons, especially for retail and home improvement positions. |
| Goodwill Industries | Non-Profit/Retail | Donation Attendant, Sales Associate, Warehouse Worker | Offers opportunities for those with criminal records, including in retail stores. |
| McDonald’s | Food Service | Crew Member, Cook, Shift Leader | Hires felons for entry-level roles in cooking, cleaning, and customer service. |
| Trinity Services Group | Correctional Services | Food Service Worker, Janitor | Hires felons for food service and facility maintenance roles. |
| Penske Corporation | Automotive/Transportation | Delivery Driver, Warehouse Worker, Automotive Technician | Known for hiring felons in logistics and maintenance positions. |
| Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) | Energy | Laborer, Maintenance Worker, Operator | Offers opportunities for felons in energy and manual labor roles. |
| Amazon | E-Commerce & Logistics | Warehouse Associate, Delivery Driver, Customer Service Representative | Provides second-chance opportunities in warehouse and delivery roles. |
| Sears | Retail | Sales Associate, Customer Service Associate | Has a long history of hiring felons for retail positions. |
| Waffle House | Food Service | Server, Cook, Dishwasher | Known for hiring felons in food service positions. |
| UPS | Logistics & Transportation | Delivery Driver, Package Handler | Reputable for hiring felons for roles in transportation and logistics. |
| Burlington Coat Factory | Retail | Sales Associate, Cashier, Stock Clerk | Open to hiring felons for various retail positions. |
| Tyson Foods | Food Processing & Manufacturing | Production Worker, Maintenance Technician | Offers opportunities for felons in food production and manufacturing. |
| Labor Finders | Staffing & Temporary Employment | Laborer, Warehouse Worker, Construction Laborer | Staffing agency providing temp and full-time labor roles for felons. |
Which other states offer Second Chance Employment?
What is the Background Check Policy in Tennessee for Felon Hiring?
In Tennessee, the background check policy for hiring felons is shaped by both state laws and federal guidelines. Employers in the state are generally allowed to conduct background checks on prospective employees, including checking criminal histories. However, there are some specific rules and practices in place that aim to ensure fair treatment of individuals with felony convictions:
Key Aspects of Tennessee’s Background Check Policy for Felon Hiring:
- Ban the Box Law: Tennessee does not have a statewide “Ban the Box” law, which would prevent employers from asking about criminal history on job applications. However, some cities in Tennessee, like Nashville, have implemented “Ban the Box” policies for city jobs, meaning applicants for city positions cannot be asked about their criminal background until later in the hiring process. Private employers, however, are not bound by these rules.
- Types of Criminal Records Considered: Employers may consider felonies, misdemeanors, and arrests. In Tennessee, felony convictions may disqualify applicants from certain positions, especially those that involve working with vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities. However, a felony conviction does not automatically bar an individual from employment unless the conviction is directly relevant to the job.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC) Guidelines: Tennessee employers are required to comply with federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines, which mandate that criminal records be evaluated in the context of the job’s requirements. Employers must assess whether the felony is related to the duties of the position and how long ago the conviction occurred. Discrimination based solely on criminal history without considering the nature of the job or the applicant’s rehabilitation is prohibited.
- Fair Chance Hiring: While Tennessee does not have a statewide Fair Chance Hiring law, some employers voluntarily follow this practice, which includes considering the time elapsed since a person’s conviction and their efforts toward rehabilitation. Employers may be more inclined to hire individuals who demonstrate that they have turned their lives around, especially for non-sensitive roles.
- Types of Employers: Certain industries, such as healthcare, education, and law enforcement, may have stricter policies regarding felony convictions. For example, individuals convicted of violent crimes or sex offenses may be disqualified from working with vulnerable populations, such as children or the elderly, in these sectors.
- Expungement Options: Tennessee offers the possibility of expunging certain criminal records, which can help individuals with felony convictions gain employment opportunities. However, expungement is only available for certain non-violent crimes and under specific conditions. Once a felony is expunged, it is no longer visible on a criminal background check.
What are the Programs and Resources for Felons in Tennessee to Find Employment?
Finding employment after a felony conviction can be challenging, but Tennessee offers various programs and resources to help individuals with criminal records reintegrate into the workforce. These initiatives provide job training, support, and access to employment opportunities for felons. Below are some key programs and resources available in Tennessee:
1. Tennessee Reconnect
- Overview: Tennessee Reconnect is a state program designed to help adults, including those with a criminal history, earn a college degree or certificate. It provides financial assistance to cover tuition and other education-related costs at Tennessee community colleges and technical schools.
- Eligibility: Individuals who have been out of high school for at least one year and are Tennessee residents are eligible, regardless of their criminal background.
2. Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD)
- Overview: The TDLWD offers a variety of services, including job search assistance, career counseling, and workshops to help individuals with criminal records secure employment. They also connect job seekers with local employers who are open to hiring individuals with felonies.
- Eligibility: Open to all job seekers, including felons.
3. Second Chance Program
- Overview: Tennessee’s Second Chance Program helps ex-offenders by providing employment readiness training, job placement services, and support for reintegration into society. The program partners with local businesses willing to hire individuals with criminal records.
- Eligibility: Available to individuals who have completed their sentences and are looking for employment opportunities.
4. Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee
- Overview: Goodwill provides job training, employment services, and career counseling for individuals with criminal backgrounds. Their services include resume assistance, interview preparation, and job placement. They also have partnerships with local businesses that are more likely to hire felons.
- Eligibility: Open to all, especially those with barriers to employment, including felons.
5. The Tennessee Prison Enterprises (TPE)
- Overview: TPE offers job training and work experience within prison systems. After release, individuals can use the skills and connections they gained while incarcerated to find work with employers who value their rehabilitation efforts.
- Eligibility: Available to incarcerated individuals and those recently released.
6. Project Return
- Overview: Project Return is a nonprofit organization that assists individuals with criminal backgrounds in their transition back to the workforce. They provide job readiness workshops, career coaching, and connections to employers who are willing to hire individuals with felony convictions.
- Eligibility: Available to any Tennessee resident with a criminal background who is seeking employment.
7. The National H.I.R.E. Network
- Overview: The H.I.R.E. (Helping Individuals with Records Re-enter Employment) Network is a national initiative with resources for individuals with criminal records looking for work. The program provides information on employers who are “ban the box” compliant, meaning they do not inquire about criminal history during the early stages of hiring.
- Eligibility: Open to individuals with criminal records across the United States, including Tennessee.
8. Ban the Box – Local Ordinances
- Overview: Although Tennessee does not have a statewide “Ban the Box” law, cities like Nashville have enacted local ordinances that prevent employers from asking about criminal history on job applications. This gives individuals with felony records a chance to be considered for jobs without being immediately disqualified due to their past.
- Eligibility: Available to residents of cities with “Ban the Box” ordinances, such as Nashville.
9. Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
- Overview: The WOTC is a federal program that offers tax incentives to employers who hire individuals from specific target groups, including ex-felons. This can encourage employers in Tennessee to hire individuals with criminal records by lowering their hiring costs.
- Eligibility: Employers hiring individuals with criminal records may qualify for the tax credit. The program is administered through the TDLWD.
10. The National Employment Law Project (NELP)
- Overview: The NELP advocates for policies that provide better access to employment for individuals with criminal records. They offer resources on job search strategies and legal rights for felons in Tennessee, as well as guidance on expungement and record sealing.
- Eligibility: Open to individuals with criminal records, including those in Tennessee.
Conclusion
Tennessee offers a variety of opportunities for individuals with felony convictions through its robust network of felon-friendly employers, second-chance programs, and support resources. From the state’s initiatives like the Second Chance Program to local employers who are open to hiring those with criminal records, individuals in Tennessee have a better chance at securing meaningful employment. Programs offering job training, resume assistance, and career counseling, coupled with government incentives for employers, ensure that felons have a path to reintegration into the workforce. With the right resources and determination, individuals with felony convictions can find fulfilling job opportunities, rebuild their lives, and contribute positively to their communities.
