Does Robert Half Hire Felons?

Hiring by Position

Understanding Robert Half's Focus on Professional Staffing

Robert Half occupies a different niche in the staffing industry than agencies like Manpower or Kelly Services. While those agencies place workers primarily in warehouse, manufacturing, and light industrial roles — industries where felony-friendly hiring is more common — Robert Half specializes in professional positions: accounting, finance, technology, legal, and administrative. This professional focus has implications for people with records. The industries Robert Half serves tend to have stricter background check requirements because the work often involves access to confidential information, financial systems, or fiduciary responsibilities. This does not mean Robert Half is off-limits for people with records, but it does mean your options are more limited and your conviction type matters more. A drug possession charge from 8 years ago is very different from a recent fraud conviction when you are seeking a finance job.

Robert Half's Background Check Process

Robert Half conducts thorough background checks on candidates, which typically include a criminal history search (county, state, and federal for 7 years), Social Security number trace, sex offender registry check, education verification, and employment history verification. For finance and accounting positions, a credit check is standard. For IT positions, additional screening may include skills assessments or security clearance verification. Robert Half follows FCRA requirements, providing candidates with a copy of the background report and the opportunity to dispute inaccuracies. Because many of Robert Half's clients are financial institutions, law firms, and corporate offices, the client companies themselves often have strict background check policies that Robert Half must adhere to. Even if Robert Half's own assessment would clear you, the client's policy may not.

When Robert Half Can Work for People with Records

Robert Half is most likely to place people with records in the following scenarios: your conviction is non-financial and non-violent and occurred more than 7 years ago; you have a misdemeanor rather than a felony; you have strong professional skills and certifications that make you highly valuable to clients; you are targeting administrative or customer service roles rather than accounting or legal positions; and you are in a state with strong ban-the-box protections for professional positions. If your record includes financial crimes — fraud, embezzlement, forgery, identity theft, or money laundering — Robert Half is probably not the right staffing agency for you, at least not for their core finance and accounting placements. These convictions directly conflict with the trust required for the roles they typically staff. However, non-financial convictions, particularly older ones, may not prevent placement in administrative or technical roles.

Alternative Approaches If Robert Half Cannot Place You

If Robert Half's professional focus does not match your conviction history, do not give up on office and professional work entirely. Other staffing agencies like Kelly Services, Manpower, and Adecco also place administrative and office workers but have broader industrial portfolios that make their overall approach more flexible. Some specialized second-chance staffing agencies focus specifically on placing people with records in professional roles — research what is available in your area. You can also build toward professional roles over time: start with a warehouse or industrial placement through a more felon-friendly agency, then use that work history and stability to apply for office positions directly with employers who have fair chance hiring policies. Many major corporations have formal second-chance programs that are more flexible than staffing agencies bound by client requirements.

Robert Half's Various Brands and Divisions

Robert Half operates several specialized divisions: Robert Half Finance & Accounting (their largest division, placing accountants, bookkeepers, and financial analysts), Robert Half Technology (IT professionals), Robert Half Legal (paralegals, legal secretaries), Robert Half Administrative (office support), and The Creative Group (marketing and creative professionals). Additionally, Protiviti is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half that provides consulting and internal audit services. Each division has its own typical client requirements. Administrative and The Creative Group tend to be the most accessible for people with records, while Finance & Accounting and Legal are the most restrictive. Understanding these divisions helps you target your application to the areas where you have the best chance of success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Robert Half hire felons?

Sometimes. Robert Half specializes in professional, finance, and office roles where background check requirements are typically stricter than industrial positions. People with non-financial, non-violent felonies that are older may be placed in administrative or customer service roles. Financial crime convictions are almost always disqualifying for Robert Half's core placements.

Does Robert Half do background checks?

Yes. Robert Half conducts thorough background checks including criminal history, education verification, employment history, and Social Security trace. Finance positions also include credit checks. Client companies may have additional screening requirements.

Is Robert Half good for people with records?

Robert Half is generally not the most accessible staffing agency for people with felony records due to their focus on professional and financial roles. However, if your conviction is not related to financial crimes and is more than 7 years old, administrative and customer service placements may be possible. For broader options, consider general staffing agencies like Manpower, Kelly Services, or Express Employment.

Does Robert Half do credit checks?

Yes, for finance and accounting placements. Credit checks are standard for roles that involve access to financial systems, confidential data, or fiduciary responsibilities. Administrative and customer service roles may not require credit checks, depending on the client.

What is the difference between Robert Half and other staffing agencies?

Robert Half specializes in professional office roles — accounting, finance, technology, legal, and administrative positions. Other agencies like Manpower, Kelly Services, and Adecco focus more heavily on warehouse, manufacturing, and industrial placements. Robert Half's professional focus means stricter background check requirements overall but potentially higher-paying placements.

Does Robert Half offer temp-to-hire?

Yes. Robert Half offers temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire placements across all divisions. Temp-to-hire lets you demonstrate your skills before the client commits to a permanent offer, though professional roles often require clean background checks regardless of temp performance.

Can I use Robert Half for non-office jobs?

Robert Half focuses exclusively on professional and office positions. They do not staff warehouse, manufacturing, or industrial roles. For those positions, use general staffing agencies like Manpower, Kelly Services, Adecco, Express Employment, or Labor Finders.