Felony Friendly Jobs in Newark, NJ
Newark is a major logistics hub thanks to Port Newark (one of the busiest container ports on the East Coast) and Newark Liberty International Airport. The city has strong ban-the-box protections under both New Jersey's Opportunity to Compete Act and its own local ordinance. Warehouse, logistics, and airport-related jobs create constant demand. New Jersey's $15.49/hr minimum wage is among the highest in the nation. The cost of living is high but lower than nearby Manhattan.
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Top Employers in Newark That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Newark, NJ 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.
Walgreens hires people with records for non-pharmacy store roles. Pharmacy positions require clean records.
CVS is Ban the Box compliant and considers records individually. Pharmacy roles have stricter requirements.
Best Industries in Newark for People With Records
- ✓Logistics & shipping (Port Newark)
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Transportation (Newark Airport)
- ✓Manufacturing
- ✓Food service
Staffing Agencies in Newark That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Newark metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Manpower
- Kelly Services
- Adecco
- Express Employment Professionals
- Randstad
New Jersey Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
New Jersey has a statewide ban-the-box law (Opportunity to Compete Act, 2015) that applies to employers with 15 or more employees. Newark has additional local fair chance protections.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
New Jersey's Opportunity to Compete Act prohibits employers with 15+ employees from asking about criminal history on initial applications or during the first interview. Newark's local ordinance provides additional protections.
Minimum Wage
$15.49/hr (New Jersey state minimum)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Newark
- 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 Newark
- Newark Workforce Development Board
- Goodwill Industries of Greater New York/Northern NJ
- Newark Prisoner Reentry Initiative (NPRI)
- New Jersey Reentry Corporation
- Integrity House
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Newark?
- Newark excels in logistics and warehouse work (Port Newark, Amazon, UPS, FedEx), airport-related employment (Newark Liberty), healthcare support, food service, and construction. The port and airport create enormous demand for workers.
- Does Newark have ban-the-box laws?
- Yes. New Jersey's Opportunity to Compete Act applies to employers with 15+ employees statewide. Newark has additional local fair chance protections. Employers cannot ask about criminal history until after the first interview.
- What staffing agencies in Newark hire felons?
- Staffing agencies in Newark include Manpower, Kelly Services, Adecco, Express Employment Professionals, and Randstad. Port logistics and warehouse staffing are particularly active.
- What is the minimum wage in Newark?
- Newark follows New Jersey's state minimum wage of $15.49 per hour. Many logistics and warehouse jobs start above minimum wage due to the competitive market.
Related Resources
More resources
- HousingSecond chance apartments in Newark, NJ→
- ExpungementExpungement in New Jersey→
- Background ChecksHow far back do background checks go? →
- EducationCDL training programs →
- EducationTrade schools for felons →