Is It Hard to Get a Job at UPS with a Felony?

The stigma attached to a felon is not one that would go away fast. Most people always look at ex-felons with suspicion and are wary of associate with them. Felony records will haunt each person for a lifetime; therefore, the best way is to seek a job where you could rewrite your life and live as a normal citizen.

How many companies are there who would be willing to employ a former felon? And what is the procedure they follow? If these are the questions in your mind right now, you are in the right place! There are indeed many organizations that employ former felons but the process is difficult. UPS is a large multinational company that has employed ex-felons in the past and this article will explain the procedure they follow.

Company Overview

UPS is a US-based multinational company and a leader in package delivery and supply chain management. Over the years, they have spread their wings and have ventured into other fields like the airline business in tie-up with All Nippon Airways. However, their mainstay has been and is parcel delivery. With some acquisitions and associations, they have established their footprint worldwide in this field.

James E. Casey founded UPS on August 28, 1907, in Seattle, Washington. It is currently headquartered in Sandy Springs, Georgia. As a prime provider of Courier, Freight and Logistic services worldwide, they generated revenue of $71.861 billion in 2018. Also, they have employed a workforce of nearly 481,000 worldwide. This huge multinational company has jobs in package handling and delivery throughout the US and 220 countries worldwide.

In the US, the company’s prime business is in the time-bound delivery of packages and documents. This is accomplished by a huge network established throughout the country. In the US alone, the company has employed more than 362,000 workers. Across the globe, the company’s operating about 119,000 delivery vehicles. The company is tech-savvy and that helps run this vast network with utmost professionalism and dedication. As a part of their use of technology, the company recently won the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration to operate drones for the delivery of health care packages.

Entry Level Jobs at UPS

The most common entry-level jobs available at UPS across their locations are package handlers and delivery drivers. These jobs involve handling packages and delivering them to the concerned locations. As a delivery driver, you are expected to have a positive attitude and be courteous in your behavior towards customers. They are quite suitable for ex-felons, except for some special cases such as theft or related-violence crimes.

Apart from these, there are positions which are seasonal, supply chain positions, technicians and also on the corporate side you can apply. Other common jobs that people often apply for at UPS are Owner Operator Driver, Driver Assistant, Warehouse Worker, Retail Sales Associate, and Customer Service Representative.

The average hourly wage at UPS ranges from approximately $11.53 per hour for Customer Service Representative to $29.07 per hour for Tractor Trailer Driver. A Package Handler earns $15.55 per hour whereas the Delivery Driver pay is $18.89 per hour. In the Loading and Stocking section, the Loader/Unloader earns $12.25 per hour and a Driver assistant $14.90 per hour. In the Administrative section, the Despatch Supervisor collects $18.27 per hour as pay. The Stores Manager in the retail Section pay is $14.33 per hour, whereas, the Stocking Associate earns $23.52 per hour.

Will UPS Hire You?

UPS is a worldwide package delivery and supply chain management company. Therefore, it has vast potential for employing people. But then, do they hire former felons? Yes, they do. However, they will consider case by case, but not all.

UPS is a customer-centric company and their main concern always is to keep its customers satisfied. Therefore, every package the company handles goes through a strict procedure. This process ends only when the said package is delivered safely to the individual or company that it is addressed to. It requires a lot of dedication and commitment to see this process through. And this is achieved by UPS with its highly professional and committed service. In other words, their posts have to be manned by highly motivated and dedicated individuals who share the company’s mission. Therefore, the people they are looking for should have these qualities in addition to being trustworthy.

The company does not have a written policy on employing felons. However, their official hiring statement indicates that they are an equal opportunity employer. The company does not discriminate on any basis and take all their employment decisions as per the prevailing laws. Some sources have revealed that their hiring is done on a case-by-case basis and that over some time, they have employed former felons in specific posts.

Ban The Box, Fair Chance Busines Pledge & UPS

Does UPS support two felon-friendly movements that are widespread in the US? These hope to end the discrimination against former felons in getting a job. Human rights groups and backers created the Ban the Box movement in the hope of influencing companies so that they pledged not to ask for criminal records in the job application form. Employers who have signed to this movement will not make candidates reveal any detail about their past convictions.

Unfortunately, UPS is not a signatory to this movement, but that does not mean that they are averse to hiring former felons. Incidentally, they do not have that criminal-record checkbox in their application forms for basic jobs.

The next initiative is the Fair Chance Business Pledge. Companies who take this pledge commit to fair hiring practices for everyone, including former felons. There are no reports to indicate that UPS has taken this pledge so far. Nevertheless, this does not in any way indicate that they are against hiring someone with a criminal history.

Several former prisoners shared that they and their friends who had criminal records were admitted to work at UPS. They have enjoyed working here.

Does UPS do Background Checks?

Yes, they do. UPS does background checks on all those who apply for a job. According to the company’s announcement, a third-party firm will conduct background checks. However, there is also no clear indication when these checks are performed. People who used to work here shared that the background check happens at some point during the hiring or training process.

Background Checks in Different States

Different states have different rules when it comes to maintaining felony records. Some states maintain felony records only for seven years, whereas other states do that for a lifetime. As a result, any felony committed before seven years will not show up during the background checks.

As an ex-felon, if your felony was committed more than seven years ago, then you stand a good chance of finding employment in UPS in these states. Therefore, try and maximize your chances by researching into policies of the state regarding felony records while applying.

Some states do not make available not-guilty verdicts. If you have been charged and found not guilty, then you stand a good chance to get a job in such states because your records won’t show up during a background check. However, some states maintain entire criminal records. This is bad news for people with felony records who seek a job in these states. Your chances of being hired by UPS are slim here.

Why Background Checks?

All organizations prioritize their operational security and reputation int the market. Therefore, they look to select the best candidate for their jobs. These candidates should be trustworthy, hardworking, adequately qualified, and should be able to maintain a good relationship with customers. Every package that the company receives is invaluable and has to reach the recipient in the promised time. For this reason, they need people who are trustworthy for this job. As a result, ex-offenders convicted of theft, fraud or violent acts will be hard to get through these requirements.

Prepare for Hiring at UPS

UPS commits to providing all candidates a fair chance. Therefore, the onus is on you to make this a reality. Your first task is to update your resume to be in time with what they require.

There are a few steps that you have to take before you apply.

1. Highlight your areas of interest and expertise concerning the position you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a driver’s post, highlight your previous commercial driving experience. Similarly, if you are applying for the post of a Package Handler, provide details of related experience and your ability.
2. Before attending the interview, prepare well with updated information about the company. Wear your best formal dress. Besides, during the interview, try and convince the interviewers that you are dependable, reliable and fit enough for that work. These are essential qualities for getting a job at UPS.
3. Be truthful in all aspects of your life. Your period of incarceration and your good behavior while serving time should be mentioned in the interview. Make them believe that you really want this opportunity to dedicate and rebuild your life.

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