Felony Friendly Jobs in Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis is a major logistics hub in the heart of the Midwest. The city sits at the crossroads of several interstate highways and has become a prime location for distribution centers. Amazon and FedEx have large operations here. The manufacturing sector remains strong, and healthcare is a growing employer. RecycleForce is a nationally recognized Indianapolis-based reentry program that provides employment through electronics recycling.
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Top Employers in Indianapolis That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Indianapolis, IN 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.
FedEx Ground contractors frequently hire people with records. FedEx Express has stricter requirements.
UPS hires felons for package handler roles. Driver and management positions have stricter background requirements.
Kroger hires people with records for many store and warehouse positions. Pharmacy roles are more restricted.
Target uses individualized assessment for applicants with records. Ban the Box compliant nationwide.
Lowe's uses individualized assessment. Some positions involving driving or equipment have stricter checks.
Tyson Foods is one of the most felon-friendly large employers. Meat processing and production roles widely available.
Best Industries in Indianapolis for People With Records
- ✓Logistics & distribution
- ✓Manufacturing
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Motorsports & events
- ✓Agriculture
Staffing Agencies in Indianapolis That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Indianapolis metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Express Employment Professionals
- Manpower
- Kelly Services
- Adecco
- Staffmark
Indiana Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
Indiana has a statewide ban-the-box law for state government employment. Indianapolis does not have an additional local ban-the-box ordinance for private employers.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
Indiana's ban-the-box law applies only to state employment. Private employers in Indianapolis can ask about criminal history on applications. Federal EEOC guidelines still apply.
Minimum Wage
$7.25/hr (federal minimum — Indiana minimum matches federal)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Indianapolis
- 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 Indianapolis
- RecycleForce
- Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana
- Fathers and Families Center
- Indiana Department of Workforce Development
- IndyGo (employer partnerships)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Indianapolis?
- Indianapolis is strongest in logistics and distribution (Amazon, FedEx, UPS), manufacturing, and food processing (Tyson). The city's central location makes it a national distribution hub with constant demand for warehouse workers. Construction and food service also offer good opportunities.
- Does Indianapolis have ban-the-box laws?
- Indiana has a ban-the-box law for state government employment only. Indianapolis does not have an additional local ordinance for private employers. Private employers can ask about criminal history on applications, though federal EEOC guidelines still apply.
- What staffing agencies in Indianapolis hire felons?
- Staffing agencies in Indianapolis that work with people with records include Express Employment Professionals, Manpower, Kelly Services, Adecco, and Staffmark. The logistics boom in central Indiana means agencies consistently need warehouse and production workers.
- What is RecycleForce?
- RecycleForce is a nationally recognized Indianapolis-based social enterprise that provides transitional employment to people returning from incarceration. Participants work in electronics recycling while receiving job readiness training, case management, and support services. It is one of the most effective reentry employment programs in the Midwest.
Related Resources
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