Does UniFirst Hire Felons?
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UniFirst hires some people with records, especially for production and loader roles. It runs a background check and drug test after a conditional offer, and has partnered with reentry programs.
UniFirst does hire some people with felony records, though decisions are made case by case. Founded in 1936 and headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, UniFirst is a leading uniform and workwear rental company with 270-plus locations and roughly 14,000 Team Partners across the U.S. and Canada. Its plants run continuously, creating steady demand for production, laundry, loader, and general-labor roles that are often the most accessible entry points for people rebuilding after a conviction. UniFirst conducts a background check and drug test only after extending a conditional job offer, with criminal checks typically going back five to seven years. Employees and HR staff confirm that people with records do work there, and the company has partnered with reentry programs such as StepUp Durham. Route Service Representative jobs involve driving company vehicles, so they add motor-vehicle-record and DOT-style scrutiny, making non-driving plant positions a more realistic starting point for many applicants.
Hiring by Position
| Position | Felon Friendly? | Background Check | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production / Laundry Associate | Case-by-case | Yes — after conditional offer | Washing, pressing, and folding garments. High-volume entry role and the most accessible. |
| Loader / Warehouse | Case-by-case | Yes — after conditional offer | Loading routes and sorting garments. Physical work with steady demand. |
| General Labor / Utility | Case-by-case | Yes — standard criminal check | Plant support tasks; a flexible entry point. |
| Route Service Representative (Driver) | Harder | Yes — plus MVR and drug test | Drives a company truck; a clean driving record and DOT standards matter. |
| Maintenance Technician | Case-by-case | Yes — standard criminal check | Equipment upkeep and repair; a skilled role with good pay. |
UniFirst Hiring Practices
UniFirst is a $2-billion-plus uniform and textile services company that has grown from a Boston garage in 1936 into 270-plus facilities and about 14,000 Team Partners. Its laundry plants operate at high volume, so production, loader, and general-labor roles turn over regularly and are the easiest entry points for people with records. UniFirst conducts its background check and drug test only after making a conditional offer, and criminal checks generally look back five to seven years. Reports from current and former employees are mixed — some branches are described as strict, while an HR business partner has confirmed the company employs people with felony records, and UniFirst has worked with reentry organizations like StepUp Durham. The company has a strong culture of promoting from within, so a plant role can become a longer-term career. As with most large employers, outcomes vary by location, position, and the age and nature of the offense.
Tips for Getting Hired at UniFirst
Apply online at jobs.unifirst.com and focus on production, laundry, loader, or general-labor openings rather than driver roles if you have a record. Because the background check comes after a conditional offer, be honest early — an unexplained item on the report is worse than a straightforward explanation. Highlight reliability, physical stamina, and any warehouse, manufacturing, or laundry experience. If you worked with a reentry or workforce program, mention it; UniFirst has hired through such partnerships before. Apply at more than one plant, since local managers make the call. Once inside, UniFirst's promote-from-within culture makes it realistic to move up into lead, maintenance, or route roles over time.
Application Tips for People with Records
- 1.Apply online at jobs.unifirst.com and target production, loader, or general-labor roles.
- 2.Be upfront about your record — the check and drug test come after a conditional offer.
- 3.Highlight warehouse, manufacturing, or laundry experience and reliable attendance.
- 4.Mention any reentry or workforce program; UniFirst has hired through such partnerships.
- 5.Apply at multiple plants, since hiring decisions are made locally.
- 6.Aim to move up later — UniFirst has a strong promote-from-within culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does UniFirst hire felons?
- Yes, UniFirst hires some people with felony records, most often for production, loader, and general-labor roles. Decisions are made case-by-case at the location level.
- Does UniFirst do background checks?
- Yes. UniFirst runs a background check after extending a conditional offer, typically looking back five to seven years.
- Does UniFirst drug test?
- Yes. UniFirst conducts a drug test along with the background check after a conditional job offer.
- What jobs at UniFirst are easiest to get with a record?
- Production, laundry, loader, and general-labor roles turn over frequently and are the most accessible entry points.
- Does UniFirst hire drivers with a record?
- It is harder. Route Service Representative roles involve driving company vehicles, so they add a motor-vehicle-record review and DOT-style standards.
Take Action — Direct Links
- UniFirst Careers
Search and apply for production, loader, route, and maintenance openings at UniFirst.
- National HIRE Network
Free resources for people with criminal records seeking employment.
- StepUp Durham — Reentry Employment
A reentry nonprofit that has helped place people with records at employers like UniFirst.
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