Society tends to look down on felons who have served their terms. As a felon, you are at a great disadvantage when it comes to landing a job, a job that will enable you to wipe out the stigma attached to a felon. This will depend largely on companies with a non-discriminatory policy in employing felons to enable them to lead a new lease of life.
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One such company which does not discriminate against felons is COCA-COLA, the U.S. based multinational beverage giant with a presence in over 200 countries. To the question “Does Coca Cola Hire Felons?” the answer is “Yes”. Coca Cola does hire felons even though they do not have a written policy about hiring felons. This article gives you an insight into getting a job at Coca Cola. It also gives you insights into Coca Cola’s hiring policy regarding felons.
Company Overview
Coca Cola is a US-based multinational corporation that manufactures and markets non-alcoholic beverages and syrups. The company’s flagship product Coca Cola is a non-alcoholic beverage with worldwide appeal and is one of the largest selling beverages on the market. The Coca Cola formula was invented in 1886 by a pharmacist John Smith Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia. Pemberton’s bookkeeper, Frank M Robinson gave the product the historic name Coca Cola. The word Coca Cola is taken from the 2 ingredients, Coca leaves and Kola nuts from which the beverage is made.
After that, Asa Griggs Candler took over the formula and the brand name Coca Cola in the year 1889. Thus the Coca Cola Company was born in Atlanta in 1892.
Worldwide Presence
Coca Cola is one of the most iconic brands in the world today. With a strong presence in every country in the world, Coca Cola is a total beverage company with the passion to give people what they want. They own over 500 brands in more than 200 countries and have over 27+ million customers, 700,000+ employees with the company and bottler associates, 250 bottling partners across 200 countries and territories.
Coca Cola Company understands its responsibility to give back to the planet what they have taken. Water is one of the most important ingredients in their beverages. Coca Cola uses this vital ingredient with great care. They aim to achieve 0% of water wastage in their manufacturing premises. They are also focusing on creating a world without waste and by 2025 they hope to make their packaging 100% recyclable.
Will Coca Cola Hire You?
Coca Cola is a worldwide beverage manufacturer with a presence in 200 countries. This provides employment opportunities worldwide and particularly in the US. Their hiring policy does not have any particular mention about hiring former felons. They do have an internal policy regarding the crime committed and this is strictly confidential. Researching into their hiring records has revealed that the company has hired felons in the past. Obviously, there are certain conditions that apply and these will be discussed in the following sections of this article.
Coca Cola complies with the laws of the particular state where you are seeking employment. This is an important consideration when they are recruiting new staff. This unwritten policy does not disqualify a felon for a job. However, the process of selection does involve a few procedures which are strictly adhered to.
Does Coca Cola Do Background checks?
There are two important issues to note before answering this question. One is the “Ban the Box” campaign that has gained momentum over time. A job application form contains a box calling for details of the applicant’s criminal background. To stop this discrimination against felons, a movement was started to force companies to remove the box from the application form. Interestingly, Coca Cola does not include past felony checkbox in their application forms, even though they are not part of the ban the box movement.
The other issue is about the Fair Chance Business Pledge. This is a campaign to make companies take a pledge that they will give a fair chance to all the people who apply for jobs, irrespective of their background. Though they have not taken this pledge, Coca Cola does give a fair chance to all people who apply for a job.
Background Checks – State Laws
Yes, Coca Cola does perform background checks on all prospective employees. As a felon, you will have to undergo these checks and only after you have satisfied them that you will be an asset, will you be selected. The important criteria appear to be how long ago the conviction happened. In many states, only records pertaining to a conviction that goes back to seven years will show. If your conviction falls within these seven years, you may be ineligible to be hired.
In some states, the background checks will only show conviction in which you were found guilty. A not guilty verdict will not show during these checks. This could prove advantageous for those with misdemeanor records but no conviction.
However, in most cases, the selection is done based on the nature of the crime you commit. Some positions require you to deal with money and financial information. You may not land these jobs if you had committed fraud or money related felonies. Some jobs require you to interact with the customer in an environment that is stressful. Those with felonies involving violence such as assault may find it difficult to be hired for these positions.
Selection Criteria
Apart from the above, some convictions may not be eligible for landing a job in Coca Cola. One such conviction is Driving under the Influence (DUI). If you are applying for a driver’s post with a DUI conviction, then your application will be rejected.
Coca Cola has links with many schools and other businesses. A job in such a place would involve direct contact with the customers. So a felon with any sex crime background will not be eligible for a job that involves direct contact with customers, especially children and women.
Those of you who have been convicted for theft may not find it difficult to land a job with Coca Cola as their products are not very high-end products. However, you may be under closer scrutiny.
Entry Level Jobs at Coca Cola
Coca Cola has a few entry-level jobs that you may be in a position to be hired. If you are a felon who holds a GED, entry-level jobs like including factory operator and forklift driver are available. The shift will be between 8 to 12 hours with a working period of 40 hours per week. In addition, there are also positions that involve taking care of bottling machines.
The average company salary ranges from $25,381 per year for an Order Picker to about $59,284 per year for a Warehouse Manager. A delivery driver earns $54,968 per year and a retail merchandiser earns $32,191 per year, whereas a checker earns 34,059 per year. Based on the departments, the salaries and positions keep changing.
Coca Cola believes in providing its employees with the best salary and a work atmosphere that is second to none. As a company that continues to thrive for more than 127 years, Coca Cola understands the trends and forces that will shape the business of the future. They are constantly looking ahead and are ready for tomorrow today. The Coca Cola vision statement particularly identifies the importance of the people with it, her employees. The vision says: “Be a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be.”
Prepare for Hiring at Coca Cola with a Felony
You have to take the initiative by checking the careers page on Coca Cola’s website and identifying the right job which suits your academic qualification and experience. Once you figure it out, prepare a resume highlighting your qualifications experience, and the skill sets that you possess. Apart from your previous experience, your resume could also detail the jobs that you had undertaking during your period of incarceration. Because the skills that you have imbibed during this period will be an added advantage. Any self-improvement classes that you attended during this period would also be a plus point and needs to be highlighted. Identify your skills and present them appropriately.
Next prepare for the interview. Know everything you need to about the company, its core values, ethics, and vision. Appear before the interview panel in your best dress, after all, the first impression is the best impression. Be positive and present a confident outlook.
Coca Cola Company does not discriminate against felons. You have every chance to find a job at Coca Cola, but your felony background might limit your chances to apply for some positions in the company. The best way forward is to try for an entry-level job and then move up the ladder.
Coca Cola is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains an environment in which all employees are treated with respect and dignity. The company is committed to maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.
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