Does Dollar General Hire Felons?

Dollar General is one of the well-known discount chains with over 19,146 stores located in 47 states across America. Dollar General, a budget-friendly store, has become an integral part of many communities. Nevertheless, whether Dollar General hires ex-convicts has always been a bone of contention. This question matters because employment plays an essential role in reducing instances of recidivism and helping to reintegrate former criminals into society.

A study led by The Bureau of Justice, for example, followed more than 51,000 individuals released from federal prisons, it revealed that only 40 percent had any form of employment within the first four years after leaving prison. On the other side, about 60% of those formerly behind bars face the challenge of joblessness compared to a national rate that is approximately 3.7%. However, many found it difficult to hold jobs that they did secure. Typically, it takes former inmates about six months on average before they can land their initial post-release job, and over a period of four years, this group usually goes through three or four jobs. The focal point of this article revolves around the question of whether Dollar General hires felons and useful information about their policies and hiring criteria.

Dollar General Company Overview

Dollar General has developed into one of the largest discount store chains since it was established in 1939 by J.L. Turner and Cal Turner. Dollar General's motto is to serve and provide affordable goods to people all over the country. The products available at Dollar General stores encompass foodstuffs, apparel, cleaning agents, health and cosmetics items, and seasonal goods. Its business model is built on small-box retailing, allowing it to serve underserved rural and urban areas.

The company offers a wide variety of jobs ranging from entry-level positions to managerial ones. Some of the common designations include sales associates, cashiers, stock clerks, and store managers. These jobs have varying requirements with respect to levels of responsibility and pay given.

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Understanding Dollar General's Hiring Policy

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The company's recruitment policy follows principles that are comprehensive and fair in nature. Their employment practices also comply with the principle of equal employment opportunity, which means not basing employee selections on their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information under federal law or Maryland law. This policy also applies when considering applicants who have committed felonies before applying for job positions either directly or through third parties such as staffing agencies should be considered under this policy. However, the company does not forget some factors, as the following lines will depict.

Reviewing the official Dollar General policy, the company does not discriminate against job applicants with criminal records but considers each case individually. This means that having a felony conviction does not bar one from getting a job as long as the company does not have a policy against hiring individuals with felony convictions. However, under Dollar General's guidelines, they evaluate the underlying nature and gravity of the offense, how long it has been since the candidate received the conviction, and whether the offense is closely related to the job of the candidate's choice. The idea of the company is to give everybody a second chance but at the same time ensure they hire the best candidates for the firm and also provide a safe workplace.

Dollar General's Legal Framework

Hiring people with felony convictions is a legal issue that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no, and it depends on the state. Currently, at the federal level, no legislation can prevent employers from hiring persons with criminal records. However, there are limitations depending on the type of business, including security clearance business and serving vulnerable groups. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or EEOC found out that employer's criminal background checks generate discrimination and they have standard measures that can help prevent this kind of action.

The laws by individual states concerning the employment of persons with criminal backgrounds vary a lot. The states themselves have enacted employment laws that discourage employers from asking questions regarding criminal convictions at the time the applicant is applying for employment. This legislation seeks to afford any persons with a criminal record a chance to compete for a position with other qualifying candidates before their criminal records can be reviewed. Currently, the Ban-the-Box policy is implemented in 37 U.S. states and over 150 cities and counties.

Also, the Fair Chance Business Pledge launched by the Obama administration calls for organizations to offer all applicants an equal chance irrespective of their criminal record status. The pledge requires the participating companies to postpone the questions regarding criminal history to the second stage of the hiring process and to take the context into account.

Legal complications from the criminal background check policy have haunted Dollar General. In 2019, the firm agreed to pay out $6 million in a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over its use of criminal history in hiring decisions in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, considering it had a different impact on black applicants. However, they agreed not to discourage people with criminal records from applying for employment and to reconsider hiring persons whose conditional offers of employment were rescinded based on criminal history.

Tips for Felons Applying to Dollar General

While applying for the job at Dollar General on a felony record, you can follow some tips to make it easier.

Be Honest: You should always be honest about any criminal history when completing a job application. It could also help alleviate headaches when parts of the background check process start revealing your record.
Highlight Rehabilitation: Emphasize any rehabilitation efforts, such as completing a few educational courses or programs, obtaining certificates, doing community service, etc.
Get Solid References: Past employers, mentors, or leaders in your community who can vouch for your good character and moral standing as a worker.
Prepare for the Interview: Practice answering questions about your past, highlighting your growth and how you're ready for a fresh start.
Consider Entry-Level Positions: Applying for entry-level roles can give one an upper hand in getting hired since some of these positions may have fewer requirements. For example, I am a sales associate, stock clerk, cashier, assistant store manager, warehouse worker, maintenance worker, etc.

infographic on dollar general hiring felons

Felony Record Facts

Based on the U. S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, about 80 million Americans are said to be criminals, and this comes with the disadvantage of reduced chances of employment. Yet, the scenario is slowly shifting as the number of organizations learning the importance of Diversity and inclusion increases.

Research from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) indicated that about 53% of HR professionals said their employers are ready to consider candidates with criminal records. This statistic shows the increasing concern about the possibility of utilizing the experiences of ex-convicts as a valuable asset in business. A study showed that 60% of state (61%) and federal (63%) prisoners were employed in the 30 days before their arrest. About half of these individuals held full-time jobs. As a result, there is a broader talent pool and reduced turnover rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dollar General do criminal background checks?

Yes, Dollar General conducts background checks on all potential employees. However, having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify an applicant. The company considers the nature and severity of the offense, the time elapsed since the conviction, and its relevance to the job.

What types of crimes might disqualify an applicant?

The company tends to consider each case individually and may not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment based on a criminal record. There are some generic criminal activities, such as violent crimes or activities that directly threaten workplace safety, that may lead to the applicant's rejection. The details depend on its nature and characteristics as well as details of the committed offense.

How can felons improve their chances of getting hired at Dollar General?

There are ways in which felons can improve their chances, which include truthfulness when it comes to questions referring to their criminal past, proving that they have been rehabilitated, and focusing on the skills they have and their experience as they fill the prison job applications. Other means by which one can help oneself include participation in job training programs and trying to access support from various community-based organizations.

What support does Dollar General offer to employees with criminal records?

Dollar General provides comprehensive onboarding and training programs that cover both job-specific skills and soft skills like communication and teamwork. The company also partners with local organizations to offer additional resources and support.

Does Dollar General hire felons: Testimonies from public forums

The information on public forums shows that Dollar General does seem to hire felons, though it can depend on the nature of the felony and the location of the store. Below I share some of the comments:

A user on Reddit mentioned, "Yes. Absolutely, they do. I have a criminal history, and I've worked for them twice. I left on my own 2 years ago, was rehired 6 months ago, and still have my job" (Reddit). Another user shared their experience, "As a convicted felon x2 I can tell you from experience that a felony conviction doesn't stop any minimum wage job from hiring you" (Reddit).

On Indeed, there are mixed responses. One person mentioned, "No. My felony is 9 years old and not theft related. In Colorado, they are not supposed to go back more than 7 years but they did" (Indeed). Another stated, "Yes, Dollar General will hire felons pretty much in every state unless it's a robbery charge" (Indeed).

Conclusion

The practice of employing people with felony records at Dollar General is considered an inclusive and fair employment practice. Fortunately, the company's policy on considering applicants with such records as rape offenders, murder suspects, or drug dealers while hiring is quite fair – the management takes into account the circumstances of criminal convictions, as well as time that passed and potential relevance to the work. Such inclusion in recruitment is possible through laws such as the Ban-the-Box laws and the Fair Chance Business Pledge, which Dollar General follows when hiring felons.