Does AtWork Group Hire Felons?
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AtWork is a national staffing franchise. Each independently owned branch and its client employers set screening, so many light-industrial and warehouse assignments have no criminal-history barrier.
AtWork Group is a national staffing franchise founded in 1986, with more than 100 offices across 30-plus states that place over 40,000 people into jobs each year. It staffs light-industrial, warehouse, manufacturing, clerical, hospitality, and professional roles on temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire terms. Because AtWork is franchise-based, hiring and background-check decisions are made locally by each independently owned office and shaped by what the client employer requires. AtWork does conduct background checks, drug screening, and skills assessments when a client requests them, but many light-industrial and warehouse assignments have no criminal-history barrier. There is no company-wide ban on hiring people with records, so an older or non-violent felony often will not disqualify you from warehouse or production placements. Your best approach is to apply directly with a local AtWork branch, be upfront about your record, and ask the recruiter which open assignments do not require a clean background check.
Hiring by Position
| Position | Felon Friendly? | Background Check | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warehouse / Distribution Associate | Often | Depends on client | Picking, packing, loading. High-volume assignments frequently have no criminal-history barrier. |
| Light Industrial / Production Worker | Case-by-case | Depends on client | Assembly and manufacturing. Screening set by the client employer and local branch. |
| Forklift / Material Handler | Case-by-case | Client-dependent — may check MVR | Certification helps. Some clients review driving records for equipment roles. |
| Clerical / Office Support | Case-by-case | Often screened | Roles handling money or sensitive data are more likely to require a clean check. |
| Hospitality / Event Staff | Case-by-case | Client-dependent | Banquet, catering, and event roles. Screening varies by venue. |
How AtWork Group Hires
AtWork is a staffing franchise, so the company that ultimately screens you is the client employer, not AtWork itself. Each AtWork office is independently owned, and hiring standards vary from branch to branch and assignment to assignment. AtWork conducts background checks, drug screens, and skills assessments only when a client requests them. For a large share of the warehouse, distribution, and light-industrial jobs AtWork fills, clients either skip criminal checks or weigh only recent, job-relevant convictions. There is no blanket, company-wide policy barring people with records. Because AtWork branches compete to fill constant industrial and hospitality demand, recruiters are motivated to place reliable workers quickly, and a good recruiter will tell you which open assignments will not screen out your record.
Tips for Getting Hired Through AtWork
Find your nearest AtWork office at atwork.com/locations and apply at jobs.atwork.com, then follow up in person — franchise branches value candidates who show initiative. Ask your recruiter directly which open assignments do not require a criminal background check; this is a routine question. Be honest about your record so you are matched to jobs you can legally hold. Emphasize dependability, punctuality, and any hands-on warehouse, manufacturing, or forklift experience. Stay flexible on shift, location, and pay to get placed fast, then use the assignment as an audition — AtWork regularly converts strong temporary workers into temp-to-hire and direct-hire placements with better pay and benefits.
Application Tips for People with Records
- 1.Find your nearest branch at atwork.com/locations and apply at jobs.atwork.com.
- 2.Follow up in person — independently owned franchise offices reward initiative.
- 3.Ask the recruiter which open assignments do not require a criminal background check.
- 4.Be honest about your record so you are matched to roles you can legally hold.
- 5.Highlight dependability plus any warehouse, manufacturing, or forklift experience.
- 6.Treat your first assignment as an audition — strong temps get converted to permanent roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does AtWork Group hire felons?
- AtWork places some people with felony records, particularly in warehouse and light-industrial roles. Because AtWork is a staffing franchise, whether a record matters depends on the local branch and the client employer's requirements for each assignment.
- Does AtWork do background checks?
- AtWork conducts background checks, drug screening, and skills assessments when a client requests them. Many light-industrial and warehouse assignments have no criminal-history barrier.
- Does AtWork drug test?
- Drug testing depends on the client and assignment. Some roles require a pre-placement screen; others do not.
- Is AtWork a franchise?
- Yes. AtWork has franchised since 1992 and operates more than 100 independently owned offices across 30-plus states, so hiring standards vary by location.
- What kind of jobs does AtWork staff?
- Light-industrial, warehouse, manufacturing, clerical and office, hospitality, and professional roles — on temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire terms.
Take Action — Direct Links
- AtWork Job Search
Browse open assignments and connect with a local AtWork branch.
- National HIRE Network
Free resources for people with criminal records seeking employment.
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