Does McDonald’s Hire Felons?

Getting arrested once or having a legal run-in can have negative consequences for the rest of a person’s life. Felons face discrimination in all areas of life but perhaps most importantly, they are often discriminated against by employers. 

While hiring felons is still not as commonplace as it perhaps should be, there is progress being made. McDonald’s is one of the biggest companies in the world – due to their leading position in the global economy, the hiring trends they set are very important. That’s why it’s especially significant that McDonald’s does not discriminate against felons. As long as felons show that they have been rehabilitated and have completed all the legal punishments they were dealt, then McDonald’s will consider hiring them. This is a big step in the process of re-integrating felons into society and it sets an example for other companies as well. 

Hiring Process at McDonald’s 

Applying for a job at McDonald’s is a pretty straightforward process. You can apply for a job using the company’s online portal or you can apply in-person at the specific store you want to work at. 

  • Identify an Opening

In order to apply for a position at McDonald’s, you’ll first have to identify which positions are available. You can do this by checking the ‘Careers’ part of McDonald’s website or by going to your local branch and inquiring. 

  • Fill Out the Application 

The application will be McDonald’s introduction to you as a candidate, that’s why you have to ensure you fill it with the most accurate and up-to-date information about yourself. McDonald’s will use everything you put on your application to conduct a background check so if you’re a felon you have to make sure you’re up-front about your experiences. You should also put all of your work experience on the application as it’ll highlight why you’re a capable candidate. The application is also when you get to choose your working hours so make sure you have clarity ahead of time about what schedule works for you. 

  • Sit for the Assessment Test

If the managers liked your application then they’ll call you back for an assessment test. The assessment test is a super important part of the hiring process as it’s used to determine if you would fit into the culture of McDonald’s. You’ll be asked to answer questions about how you would react in certain hypothetical situations. 

  • Give the Interview 

If the managers at the store at satisfied with how you’ve performed in every step so far, you’ll be called for an interview. The interview can be the most important part of the hiring process and it’s imperative that you make a good first impression. Make sure to dress appropriately and to look professional. Most importantly, you should always be early for an interview as tardiness is the worst first impression.

Does McDonald’s Hire Felons? 

Why Hiring Felons is Important 

Hiring felons can not only be beneficial for the felon in question but it can also have a lot of benefits for companies and for society at large. 

  • Everyone Makes Mistakes 

Part of being a human is making mistakes. Felons are people just like the rest of us – they made a bad decision. Just because someone makes one bad call doesn’t mean they should be isolated for it. People are defined by how they overcome obstacles and companies should play their part in giving felons a second chance. 

  • It Prevents Future Crime 

If felons are re-integrated into society and supported by the economy, this’ll likely help in preventing them from committing further crimes. However, if they’re isolated and told that just because they committed a crime once they can’t find employment, this could lead them to commit further crimes. People need to be welcomed back into society so they don’t ever feel desperate enough to commit crimes again. If they are not, they could become resentful and go down an even worse path than they did before. 

  • They’re Hard Workers

While this won’t be universally true for every single felon hired, it still rings true for a significant majority. Felons know that they’re lucky that they were hired. As a result, they will be extra grateful to the company that hired them because they know the company hired them despite their criminal past. This will result in the felons working extra hard to justify the company’s trust in them. 

  • Government Incentives 

The government is aware of the discrimination felons face in finding work after incarceration and they have certain incentives in place for companies who will hire them. If your company hires a felon, they can receive tax credits which could save you thousands of dollars every year. Moreover, giving felons a second chance is great PR and it could potentially endear companies to their customers. 

  • It’s Illegal to Discriminate 

Not hiring felons on the basis of their criminal record has been illegal for several decades. While companies do have a certain discretion over their hiring policies, they cannot simply turn an applicant away just because of a crime they may have once committed. This is illegal and could lead to the company being sued. 

Conclusion 

Many companies have now begun to recognise the importance of giving felons a second chance. McDonald’s is one such company – it allows felons to apply and it claims to not discriminate against them on the basis of criminal record. 

Not hiring felons just because of their history with the legal system is not only illegal but it could also cause a lot of harm in wider society. Felons deserve second chances, and they should be allowed to re-integrate through society rather than being isolated and marginalised. 

FAQs
Does McDonald’s hire minors? 

While it may vary between stores, many McDonald’s do hire minors. Depending on which store you’re applying to, a person as young as 14 years of age may be hired. 

Does 7/11 hire felons? 

Yes, 7/11 does hire felons. After conducting a background check and a thorough interview process, 7/11 is open to hiring felons if they fit the job description. 

Does McDonald’s do a background check? 

Yes, McDonald’s does do a background check. They will likely do this at the application submission stage – this is why things like your social security number are required by the company in the application. 

Does McDonald’s Hire Felons?

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