Felony Friendly Jobs in St Louis, MO

Best Industries in St Louis for People With Records

• ✓Healthcare
• ✓Manufacturing
• ✓Logistics
• ✓Agriculture & food processing
• ✓Automotive

Staffing Agencies in St Louis That Work With People With Records

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

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

Missouri Employment Laws for People With Records

Tips for Job Searching With a Record in St Louis

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 St Louis

• St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE)
• Better Family Life
• Goodwill Industries
• Criminal Justice Ministry
• Missouri Career Centers

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best felony friendly jobs in St. Louis?

St. Louis has strong opportunities in manufacturing, healthcare support, logistics (Amazon, UPS, FedEx), construction, and food service. The automotive sector (Ford plant) provides well-paying manufacturing jobs. The healthcare industry is the largest employer in the region.

Does St. Louis have ban-the-box laws?

St. Louis City has a ban-the-box ordinance for city government employment. Missouri does not have a statewide ban-the-box for private employers. The Illinois side of the metro (East St. Louis, Belleville, etc.) follows Illinois' statewide ban-the-box law, which applies to private employers with 15+ employees.

Is St. Louis affordable for people starting over?

Yes. St. Louis has one of the lowest costs of living among major U.S. metros. Housing costs are well below the national average, and the diverse economy provides multiple employment pathways. The metro's position on two state borders also means workers can access jobs in both Missouri and Illinois.

What staffing agencies in St. Louis hire felons?

Staffing agencies in St. Louis that work with people with records include Express Employment Professionals, Manpower, Kelly Services, Adecco, and Staffmark. Manufacturing and logistics positions are frequently available through these agencies.