8 Staffing & Temp Agencies That Hire Felons
Staffing agencies are often the single best resource for people with felony records looking for work. The temp agency model is uniquely beneficial for reentry: the agency acts as an intermediary between you and the employer, which means you do not have to navigate the employer's background check process directly. The staffing agency knows which of its client companies are open to hiring people with records and can match you accordingly. For many people leaving prison or reentering the workforce, a staffing agency is the fastest path to a paycheck.
The temp-to-hire model is especially powerful. In a temp-to-hire arrangement, you start as a temporary worker and the client company evaluates your work ethic, reliability, and skills over a probationary period — typically 60 to 90 days. If you perform well, you are converted to a permanent employee with full benefits. This model benefits both sides: the employer gets to see you in action before committing to a full hire, and you get a chance to prove yourself in a way that a one-page application and a 15-minute interview cannot capture.
Large national agencies like Kelly Services, Manpower, and Adecco place hundreds of thousands of workers per year in industries ranging from warehouse and manufacturing to office and professional roles. These agencies have dedicated recruiters who work with justice-involved populations and understand the challenges. Express Employment Professionals, as a franchise model, is particularly noteworthy because each office is locally owned and many franchise owners actively partner with reentry programs, parole offices, and community organizations.
For immediate income, day-labor agencies like Labor Finders offer same-day work and same-day pay with minimal background screening. These agencies specialize in construction, general labor, and industrial roles. While the pay is typically lower and the work is physically demanding, day-labor agencies provide immediate income and serve as a bridge while you wait for placements from larger agencies. Many people with records start with day labor and transition to temp-to-hire positions within a few weeks.
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All 8 Staffing Agencies
Kelly Services is one of the most felon-friendly staffing agencies. Places in warehouse, manufacturing, and office roles.
Manpower (ManpowerGroup) is known felon-friendly and places people with records in many industries.
Adecco is the world's largest staffing firm and places people with felony records in many roles.
Express Employment is very felon-friendly. Locally owned franchises place in warehouse, industrial, and office.
Labor Finders specializes in day labor and construction. Very felon-friendly with same-day pay available.
Aerotek places in manufacturing, engineering, and warehouse. Some client companies restrict felons.
Randstad is a large staffing firm. Policies depend on client company requirements for each placement.
Robert Half focuses on office and professional roles. More restrictive for financial positions.
Tips for Working With Staffing Agencies
- 1.Register with multiple staffing agencies at the same time. Each agency has different client companies, and some clients are more open to hiring people with records than others. The more agencies you work with, the more opportunities you will see.
- 2.Be upfront about your record when you register. Staffing agencies appreciate honesty because they need to match you with client companies whose background requirements you can meet. Lying wastes everyone's time and will get you permanently blacklisted from that agency.
- 3.Accept the first assignment offered, even if it is not ideal. Your first temp job builds your recent work history, generates references, and proves reliability. Many temp workers convert to permanent hires within 90 days — but only if they show up consistently and work hard.
- 4.Ask specifically about temp-to-hire positions. These assignments start as temporary but convert to permanent employment after a probationary period (usually 60-90 days). This is the staffing agency model at its best — the employer gets to see your work ethic before committing.
- 5.Labor Finders and day-labor agencies offer same-day pay and same-day work with minimal screening. If you need income immediately, start here while waiting for placements from larger agencies like Kelly Services or Manpower.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do temp agencies hire felons?
- Yes, many staffing and temp agencies hire people with felony records. In fact, staffing agencies are widely considered one of the best employment resources for people with criminal records. Agencies like Kelly Services, Manpower, Adecco, Express Employment Professionals, and Labor Finders are all known to be felon-friendly. The agency acts as an intermediary between you and the employer, which can help bypass some of the direct-hire barriers that people with records face.
- How do staffing agencies work for people with records?
- When you register with a staffing agency, they collect your information including work history, skills, and criminal background. The agency then matches you with client companies whose jobs fit your profile and whose background check requirements you can meet. You are technically employed by the staffing agency, not the client company, which means the agency handles payroll, benefits, and HR. This intermediary model is beneficial because many client companies that would not directly hire someone with a felony will accept a temp worker placed by an agency they trust.
- What is the most felon-friendly staffing agency?
- Kelly Services, Manpower, Express Employment Professionals, and Labor Finders are widely considered the most felon-friendly staffing agencies. Labor Finders specializes in day labor and construction with minimal background screening and same-day pay. Express Employment Professionals are locally owned franchises, and many franchise owners actively work with reentry programs. Kelly Services and Manpower are large national agencies that place people with records in warehouse, manufacturing, and general labor roles.
- Can I get a permanent job through a temp agency?
- Yes, this is one of the biggest advantages of using staffing agencies. Many temp assignments are designated as temp-to-hire, meaning you start as a temporary worker and convert to a permanent employee of the client company after a probationary period (typically 60-90 days). Even assignments that are not officially temp-to-hire can lead to permanent offers if you impress the client. Studies show that roughly 30-40% of temp workers eventually convert to permanent positions.
- Do staffing agencies run background checks?
- Most staffing agencies run background checks, but the extent depends on the client company's requirements. Some clients require no background check at all, while others require full criminal history checks, drug tests, or both. The staffing agency knows which clients have strict requirements and which are more flexible, so they can match you with appropriate opportunities. Day-labor agencies like Labor Finders typically run minimal or no background checks for general labor assignments.