Felony Friendly Jobs in New York, NY

Best Industries in New York for People With Records

• ✓Healthcare
• ✓Logistics & delivery
• ✓Food service
• ✓Construction
• ✓Hospitality

Staffing Agencies in New York That Work With People With Records

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

• Manpower
• Kelly Services
• Adecco
• Express Employment Professionals
• Randstad

New York Employment Laws for People With Records

Tips for Job Searching With a Record in New York

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 New York

• Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
• Osborne Association
• Fortune Society
• Getting Out and Staying Out (GOSO)
• NYC Department of Small Business Services — Workforce1

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best felony friendly jobs in New York City?

NYC has opportunities in logistics and delivery (Amazon, UPS, FedEx — the city's density drives massive delivery demand), healthcare support, food service (the restaurant industry is enormous), construction, and hospitality. The sheer size of the job market means there are more total opportunities than almost any other city.

Does New York City have ban-the-box laws?

Yes. NYC's Fair Chance Act (2015) is one of the strongest in the nation. Employers with 4 or more employees cannot ask about criminal history on applications or during interviews. After a conditional offer, employers must follow a detailed Article 23-A analysis before taking adverse action based on criminal history.

What is the minimum wage in New York City?

NYC's minimum wage is $16.50 per hour. Tipped workers have a lower base rate. Fast food workers earn a minimum of $16.50/hr. The high minimum wage, combined with the Fair Chance Act, makes NYC one of the more worker-friendly cities for people with records, though the high cost of living is a challenge.

What reentry programs are available in NYC?

NYC has some of the best reentry organizations in the country. The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides transitional employment. The Fortune Society offers comprehensive services including housing, employment, and legal assistance. The Osborne Association provides family-focused reentry services. Getting Out and Staying Out (GOSO) focuses on young adults.