Felony Friendly Jobs in Memphis, TN

Best Industries in Memphis for People With Records

• ✓Logistics & distribution (FedEx hub)
• ✓Manufacturing
• ✓Healthcare
• ✓Food processing
• ✓Retail

Staffing Agencies in Memphis That Work With People With Records

Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Memphis metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.

• Express Employment Professionals
• Manpower
• Kelly Services
• Labor Finders
• Adecco

Tennessee Employment Laws for People With Records

Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Memphis

1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 Memphis

• Memphis Area Transit Authority employment
• Goodwill of the Mid-South
• MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association)
• Shelby County Reentry Program
• Tennessee Workforce Development

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best felony friendly jobs in Memphis?

Memphis is all about logistics. FedEx is the largest employer in the metro, and the company hires for package handler and warehouse roles. Amazon also has fulfillment centers in the area. Beyond logistics, food processing (Tyson), retail (Walmart, Kroger, Dollar General), and food service (Waffle House) offer additional opportunities.

Does FedEx hire felons in Memphis?

FedEx Ground contractors in Memphis frequently hire people with records for package handler roles. FedEx Express (the air division) has stricter requirements. Driver positions require clean records. The massive scale of FedEx operations in Memphis — with thousands of positions — means the company is constantly hiring.

Does Memphis have ban-the-box laws?

No. Tennessee does not have a statewide ban-the-box law, and Memphis does not have a local ordinance. However, Tennessee offers a certificate of employability program, and the logistics industry in Memphis is generally focused on finding workers quickly rather than conducting lengthy background investigations.

What staffing agencies in Memphis hire felons?

Staffing agencies in Memphis that work with people with records include Express Employment Professionals, Manpower, Kelly Services, Labor Finders, and Adecco. The logistics sector's massive scale means agencies are constantly filling positions for FedEx, Amazon, and other distribution centers.