Felony Friendly Jobs in San Francisco, CA

Best Industries in San Francisco for People With Records

• ✓Technology
• ✓Hospitality & tourism
• ✓Healthcare
• ✓Construction
• ✓Food service

Staffing Agencies in San Francisco That Work With People With Records

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

• Manpower
• Kelly Services
• Adecco
• Express Employment Professionals
• Robert Half

California Employment Laws for People With Records

Tips for Job Searching With a Record in San Francisco

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 San Francisco

• Five Keys Schools and Programs
• Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
• Goodwill of San Francisco
• The Reentry Council of the City and County of San Francisco
• Young Community Developers

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best felony friendly jobs in San Francisco?

San Francisco offers opportunities in hospitality and tourism (hotels, restaurants, event venues), construction, food service, logistics, and retail. While direct tech jobs may be competitive, tech company campuses need food service, janitorial, security, and maintenance workers. The city's high minimum wage means even entry-level positions pay well.

Does San Francisco have ban-the-box laws?

Yes. San Francisco has one of the strongest fair chance ordinances in the country (enacted 2014), combined with California's statewide Fair Chance Act. Employers cannot ask about criminal history until after a conditional offer and must conduct individualized assessment. The city also restricts consideration of arrests, dismissed charges, and many marijuana offenses.

What is the minimum wage in San Francisco?

San Francisco's minimum wage is $18.67 per hour, one of the highest city minimum wages in the country. This applies to all workers in the city regardless of employer size. The high minimum wage means even entry-level food service and retail jobs provide more livable wages, though the cost of living is also very high.

Is San Francisco affordable for people starting over?

Honestly, San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the country. Housing costs are extremely high. However, the very high minimum wage ($18.67/hr), strong worker protections, and excellent public transit can offset some costs. Many people in reentry programs live in nearby cities like Oakland or Richmond where housing is somewhat more affordable, and commute to SF jobs.