Felony Friendly Jobs in Milwaukee, WI

Best Industries in Milwaukee for People With Records

• ✓Manufacturing
• ✓Healthcare
• ✓Logistics
• ✓Food & beverage
• ✓Construction

Staffing Agencies in Milwaukee That Work With People With Records

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

• Manpower
• Express Employment Professionals
• Kelly Services
• Adecco
• QPS Employment Group

Wisconsin Employment Laws for People With Records

Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Milwaukee

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 Milwaukee

• WRTP/BIG STEP
• Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin
• Center for Self-Sufficiency
• Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board
• Community Advocates

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best felony friendly jobs in Milwaukee?

Milwaukee's strongest industries for people with records are manufacturing (the city has a deep industrial base), logistics and warehousing (Amazon, UPS, FedEx), food processing, construction, and healthcare support. The manufacturing sector often hires through staffing agencies for production roles.

Does Milwaukee have ban-the-box laws?

Wisconsin does not have a statewide ban-the-box law for private employers. Milwaukee County has a ban-the-box ordinance for county government employment only. Private employers can ask about criminal history, though federal EEOC guidelines still apply.

What is WRTP/BIG STEP?

WRTP/BIG STEP (Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership / Building Industry Group) is a nationally recognized Milwaukee-based workforce development program. It connects people — including those with records — to careers in construction and manufacturing through training, certifications, and direct job placement with employer partners.

What staffing agencies in Milwaukee hire felons?

Major staffing agencies in Milwaukee that work with people with records include Manpower (headquarters are in Milwaukee), Express Employment Professionals, Kelly Services, Adecco, and QPS Employment Group. Manufacturing and production roles are frequently available through these agencies.