Does Boar's Head Hire Felons?
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Boar's Head runs a criminal background check and a pre-employment drug screen and reviews records individually. Hourly Food Production Associate and sanitation roles are the most accessible for people with records.
Boar's Head does hire some people with felony records, evaluated case by case. Boar's Head (Frank Brunckhorst Co.) is a premium deli-meat and cheese maker founded in 1905 and headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, with food-production plants in Sarasota (Florida), Petersburg and Jarratt (Virginia), New Castle (Indiana), and Forrest City (Arkansas), plus distribution centers nationwide. The most common openings are hourly Food Production Associate roles — assisting on production lines, lifting up to about 40 pounds, and working in cold, wet conditions — along with sanitation, warehouse, and maintenance jobs. Boar's Head runs a criminal background check and a pre-employment drug screen as part of hiring, takes applications through its Workday portal, and reviews records individually rather than applying a blanket ban, consistent with EEOC guidance. Because it is a food manufacturer, safety and sanitation standards are strict, but production and sanitation roles turn over regularly. Non-violent and older convictions generally have the best path.
Hiring by Position
| Position | Felon Friendly? | Background Check | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Production Associate | Case-by-case | Yes — criminal check + drug screen | Hourly line work; lifting to ~40 lbs in cold, wet conditions. Main entry point. |
| Sanitation Associate | Case-by-case | Yes — criminal check + drug screen | Overnight cleaning of food equipment to USDA standards. Often understaffed. |
| Warehouse / Distribution Associate | Case-by-case | Yes — standard criminal check | Loading, picking, cold-storage handling. Forklift experience is a plus. |
| Maintenance / Machine Technician | Case-by-case | Yes — comprehensive check | Repairing plant machinery. Skilled trade; strong pay and stability. |
| Office / Supervisory | Rarely for serious records | Yes — comprehensive check | Roles with cash, records, or oversight face closer scrutiny. |
Boar's Head Hiring Practices
Boar's Head, operated by Frank Brunckhorst Co., is a family-controlled maker of premium deli meats and cheeses founded in 1905 and headquartered in Sarasota, Florida. Its hourly workforce is concentrated at food-production plants in Sarasota (Florida), Petersburg and Jarratt (Virginia), New Castle (Indiana), and Forrest City (Arkansas), plus distribution centers. Applicants apply through the company's Workday portal, and hiring includes a criminal background check and a pre-employment drug screen after a conditional offer. Boar's Head does not publish a formal second-chance program, but it reviews records individually rather than applying an automatic ban, consistent with EEOC guidance — the nature of the offense, its age, and its relevance to the job all matter. Because these are USDA-regulated food plants, sanitation and safety standards are strict. In practice, hourly Food Production Associate and sanitation roles hire most steadily, and non-violent or older convictions are viewed more favorably than recent theft, violent, or drug-distribution charges.
Tips for Getting Hired at Boar's Head
Apply online through the Boar's Head careers page (boarshead.com/careers), which links to its Workday portal, and focus on Food Production Associate, sanitation, and warehouse openings at the plants in Virginia, Indiana, Arkansas, and Florida. Be ready to work physically demanding shifts — lifting to about 40 pounds in cold, wet environments — and emphasize dependability and a clean safety mindset, which food plants prize. Answer honestly about your record; a rescinded offer usually follows a dishonest application more than an old conviction. Bring documentation of rehabilitation, such as completed programs, certificates, or a steady recent work history. Highlight any manufacturing, food-handling, forklift, or maintenance experience. Overnight sanitation shifts are often the hardest to staff and can be an easier way in. Staffing agencies sometimes place workers at Boar's Head plants, so a temp-to-hire assignment can let you prove yourself before the full review. Applying to more than one facility widens your odds.
Application Tips for People with Records
- 1.Apply through boarshead.com/careers (Workday portal). Target Food Production Associate, sanitation, and warehouse roles.
- 2.Be ready for physically demanding shifts — lifting to ~40 lbs in cold, wet conditions.
- 3.Answer honestly about your record — Boar's Head reviews convictions individually against the job.
- 4.Expect a pre-employment drug screen and a criminal background check after a conditional offer.
- 5.Bring proof of rehabilitation — certificates, program completion, steady work history, reference letters.
- 6.Consider overnight sanitation shifts, which are often the easiest to get hired for.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Boar's Head hire felons?
- Boar's Head hires some people with felony records on a case-by-case basis, most often for hourly Food Production Associate and sanitation roles. Records are reviewed individually rather than under a blanket ban.
- Does Boar's Head do background checks?
- Yes. Boar's Head runs a criminal background check after a conditional job offer, along with a pre-employment drug screen.
- Does Boar's Head drug test?
- Yes. A pre-employment drug screen is part of the hiring process at Boar's Head plants.
- What jobs at Boar's Head are easiest to get with a record?
- Hourly Food Production Associate and overnight sanitation positions have the steadiest hiring and the most flexibility for applicants with records.
- Where are Boar's Head plants located?
- Boar's Head operates food-production plants in Sarasota (Florida), Petersburg and Jarratt (Virginia), New Castle (Indiana), and Forrest City (Arkansas), plus distribution centers nationwide.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Boar's Head Careers
Search and apply for production, sanitation, warehouse, and corporate roles at Boar's Head.
- National HIRE Network
Free resources for people with criminal records seeking employment.