Does Macy's Hire Felons?

Hiring by Position

Macy's Background Check Process

Macy's conducts background checks on all new hires through a third-party screening provider. The standard check includes a criminal history search at the county, state, and national level, a Social Security number trace, and a sex offender registry check. The check typically covers 7 years of criminal history, though state-specific restrictions may further limit the lookback period. The process takes 3-7 business days. Macy's follows FCRA requirements rigorously: if the background check reveals information that may affect the hiring decision, the company sends a pre-adverse action notice with a copy of the report and a summary of your rights. You then have a reasonable period to review the report, dispute any inaccuracies, and provide additional context or evidence of rehabilitation before a final decision is made. Since Macy's adopted Ban the Box in 2014, criminal history is not asked about on the application or during the initial interview. The background check occurs only after a conditional offer of employment, giving you the chance to be evaluated on your qualifications first.

Macy's Ban the Box Leadership

Macy's was one of the first major department store chains to voluntarily adopt Ban the Box in 2014, removing the criminal history question from its job applications nationwide. This decision predated many state and local laws requiring this practice and demonstrated a corporate commitment to fair chance hiring. Macy's stated publicly that the decision reflected its belief that qualified candidates should be evaluated on their skills and experience before their criminal history is considered. Since then, Macy's has maintained this policy and has been cited by fair chance hiring advocates as an example for the retail industry. For applicants with criminal records, Macy's early adoption of Ban the Box means the company has over a decade of experience with this hiring approach. The company's HR teams and hiring managers are trained in individualized assessment, and the process is well-established. This institutional experience generally leads to more consistent and fair treatment of applicants with records compared to companies that have only recently begun implementing fair chance practices.

Which Felonies Are Most Likely to Be Accepted?

Macy's evaluates criminal records individually, but certain patterns are evident. Non-violent drug possession felonies are commonly accepted, especially those older than 3-5 years. DUI convictions are generally not a barrier for in-store positions. Non-violent property crimes are typically acceptable with sufficient time elapsed. Theft and shoplifting convictions face real scrutiny at Macy's — department stores involve high-value merchandise (jewelry, designer goods, electronics), and employees in many departments have access to expensive items. That said, older theft convictions (5+ years) are not automatically disqualifying, particularly for non-cashier roles or stockroom positions. Violent felonies within the past 5-7 years are challenging for customer-facing positions in a department store environment. Sex offenses on a registry are generally disqualifying. Fraud and financial crime convictions can be particularly problematic for positions involving Macy's credit card applications, returns processing, or cash handling. The more time that has passed and the more evidence of rehabilitation you can provide, the better your chances across all categories.

Seasonal and Holiday Hiring

Macy's is famous for its holiday presence — the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, elaborate store displays, and the surge of holiday shopping make Q4 the company's busiest season. Each year, Macy's hires tens of thousands of seasonal workers across its stores, distribution centers, and customer service operations. This massive hiring wave — typically beginning in September and October for positions starting in October through December — creates a significant window of opportunity for applicants with criminal records. While background check standards are not officially lowered during seasonal hiring, the sheer volume of positions means more opportunities and a broader need for reliable workers. Many seasonal employees are retained for permanent positions after the holidays, making seasonal hiring a pathway to ongoing employment. Beyond the holidays, Macy's also increases staffing for spring/summer merchandise transitions, back-to-school, and major sale events. Timing your application to coincide with these hiring surges can meaningfully improve your chances.

Macy's Inc. Family of Brands

Macy's Inc. operates several retail brands beyond the flagship Macy's department stores. Bloomingdale's is the company's upscale department store brand, with locations in major metropolitan areas. Bluemercury is a luxury beauty retailer. Macy's also operates macy's backstage (an off-price concept within some Macy's stores) and a significant e-commerce operation. All brands under the Macy's Inc. umbrella follow the same general background check and fair chance hiring policies, though the premium positioning of Bloomingdale's may mean slightly different hiring standards in practice. For people with records, the range of Macy's Inc. brands offers multiple entry points. If a Macy's department store position seems challenging given your record, a Macy's Backstage section or a fulfillment/distribution center role may be more accessible. Bluemercury positions require beauty industry expertise and may have a different hiring dynamic. Applying across the Macy's Inc. family of brands — through the same corporate careers portal — can increase your chances of finding the right fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Macy's hire felons?

Yes, Macy's does hire people with felony records on a case-by-case basis. The company adopted Ban the Box in 2014 and uses individualized assessment. Sales Associate, Stock Associate, and Fulfillment positions are the most accessible. Non-violent felonies older than 5 years have the best chances of acceptance.

Does Macy's do background checks?

Yes, Macy's conducts background checks on all new hires after a conditional offer of employment. The check includes criminal history at county, state, and national levels, a Social Security trace, and a sex offender registry check. The process takes 3-7 business days. Macy's follows FCRA requirements for the adverse action process.

How far back does Macy's background check go?

Macy's background check typically covers 7 years of criminal history. In states with lookback restrictions (such as California), the company complies with those limits. Convictions older than 7 years may not appear on the report, and even where they do, the individualized assessment places greater emphasis on recent history.

Does Macy's drug test?

Macy's has largely moved away from pre-employment drug testing for most store-level positions. Positions involving heavy equipment operation (distribution centers) or safety-sensitive roles may still require testing. Post-accident and reasonable suspicion testing may apply to all employees. Policies can vary by state.

When did Macy's adopt Ban the Box?

Macy's voluntarily adopted Ban the Box in 2014, removing the criminal history question from its job applications nationwide. This made Macy's one of the first major department store retailers to implement this policy, predating many state and local laws that now require it. The company has maintained this commitment for over a decade.

Does Macy's own Bloomingdale's?

Yes, Bloomingdale's is owned by Macy's Inc. and follows similar background check and hiring policies. However, Bloomingdale's is an upscale department store, and the premium positioning may mean slightly different hiring dynamics in practice. Both brands can be searched through the Macy's Inc. careers portal.

Can I get promoted at Macy's with a felony?

Yes, Macy's promotes from within for many supervisory and management positions. Sales Associates can advance to Lead, Supervisor, Department Manager, and store management roles. Once you've established a track record of strong performance, your criminal record becomes less relevant to advancement decisions. Macy's values reliability and customer service skills for promotions.

How much does Macy's pay?

Macy's pay varies by position and market. Sales Associates typically start at $13-17 per hour depending on location. Stockroom and fulfillment roles have similar starting pay. Distribution center positions may start higher at $16-20 per hour. Macy's also provides benefits including an employee discount (typically 20%), health insurance for eligible employees, and a 401(k) plan.