Felony Friendly Jobs in Chesapeake, VA
Chesapeake, VA is part of the Hampton Roads job market. Workers commonly commute across the metro for warehouse, retail, construction, healthcare support, and food service roles. Major regional employers and staffing agencies regularly place people with records when the role and offense are not closely related. Pair applications with staffing agencies and target second-chance friendly industries listed below.
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Top Employers in Chesapeake That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Chesapeake, VA and are known to consider applicants with criminal records.
Amazon hires people with felony records for most warehouse and delivery roles. Background checks are individualized.
Walmart considers applicants with records on a case-by-case basis. Violent and theft-related felonies may disqualify.
UPS hires felons for package handler roles. Driver and management positions have stricter background requirements.
FedEx Ground contractors frequently hire people with records. FedEx Express has stricter requirements.
Target uses individualized assessment for applicants with records. Ban the Box compliant nationwide.
Home Depot considers applicants with records individually. Theft and violent felonies may be disqualifying.
Food Lion hires people with records for grocery store positions. Part of Ahold Delhaize. Night stocking is most accessible.
Lowe's uses individualized assessment. Some positions involving driving or equipment have stricter checks.
Best Industries in Chesapeake for People With Records
- ✓Military-adjacent logistics
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Retail
- ✓Shipbuilding support
- ✓Food service
- ✓Construction
Staffing Agencies in Chesapeake That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Chesapeake metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Manpower
- Adecco
- Express Employment Professionals
- Aerotek
- PeopleReady
Virginia Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
Virginia has ban-the-box protections for public employers. Private employers are not covered by a statewide private-sector ban-the-box law.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
Virginia limits public-employer criminal history inquiries. Private employers should follow federal EEOC guidance.
Minimum Wage
$12.00/hr+ (Virginia state minimum — verify current rate)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Chesapeake
- 1.Start with staffing agencies. Temp agencies are often the fastest way to get working. They have relationships with employers who are willing to hire people with records, and a temp-to-hire position can become a permanent job.
- 2.Apply to multiple places at once. Do not wait for one application to come back before applying to the next. Apply to 5-10 places in the same week. The more applications you send, the better your chances.
- 3.Be honest about your record. If asked, be upfront. Lying about your criminal history is grounds for immediate termination if discovered later. Briefly acknowledge what happened, explain what you have learned, and focus on what you bring to the job.
- 4.Focus on industries with high demand. Warehouse, logistics, construction, and food service jobs tend to be the most accessible for people with records because these industries have chronic worker shortages.
- 5.Use local reentry programs. Organizations like Goodwill, workforce development centers, and reentry coalitions can connect you with employers who actively hire people with records. They often know about job openings before they are publicly posted.
- 6.Know your rights. Under the EEOC guidelines, employers must use individualized assessment — they cannot have a blanket ban on hiring people with records. Under the FCRA, you have the right to see and dispute your background check. If you are in a ban-the-box state or city, employers cannot ask about your record until later in the hiring process.
Reentry Employment Programs in Chesapeake
- Virginia Workforce / local American Job Center
- Goodwill
- 211 reentry referrals
- Southeastern Virginia Homeless Coalition
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Chesapeake?
- Strong options in Chesapeake and the Hampton Roads include warehouse and logistics, retail, food service, construction, manufacturing, and some healthcare support roles. Staffing agencies are often the fastest path to a first placement.
- Does Chesapeake have ban-the-box laws?
- Virginia has ban-the-box protections for public employers. Private employers are not covered by a statewide private-sector ban-the-box law.
- What staffing agencies in Chesapeake hire felons?
- Manpower, Adecco, Express Employment Professionals, Aerotek, PeopleReady and other local agencies in the Hampton Roads place workers with records into warehouse, light industrial, and service roles. Register with more than one agency.
- What is the minimum wage in Chesapeake?
- $12.00/hr+ (Virginia state minimum — verify current rate) Confirm the current rate before accepting an offer — some cities and contractors pay more.
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