Does Whirlpool do background checks?

Yes. Whirlpool conducts a criminal background check, commonly a seven-year lookback, typically after extending a conditional offer.

Does Whirlpool drug test?

Yes. Whirlpool generally requires a pre-employment drug screen for its safety-sensitive manufacturing roles, so applicants should be able to pass a current test.

What jobs are easiest to get at Whirlpool with a record?

Assembly and production operator, material handler, and forklift roles are usually the most accessible, and many start through staffing agencies before converting to full-time.

Does Whirlpool Hire Felons?

Last updated: 2026-07-12

Sometimes

Whirlpool runs background checks and drug screens but has no blanket ban on hiring people with records. Current and former employees report the company has hired people with felony backgrounds, especially for factory roles.

Whirlpool does hire some people with felony records, deciding case by case rather than applying a blanket ban. Headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Whirlpool Corporation is the world's largest major-appliance maker, employing roughly 44,000 people worldwide and running large U.S. manufacturing plants in Clyde, Marion, Findlay, and Ottawa, Ohio; Amana, Iowa; Cleveland, Tennessee; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Fall River, Massachusetts, plus KitchenAid production in Greenville, Ohio. Whirlpool conducts a criminal background check — commonly a seven-year lookback — and a pre-employment drug screen, usually after a conditional offer. Current and former employees report that the company has hired people with records, especially for high-volume assembly and warehouse roles, though decisions weigh the type and age of a conviction against the safety-sensitive factory environment. Assembly and production operator, material handler, and forklift positions are the most common openings and generally the most reachable for someone reentering the workforce.

Hiring by Position

Position	Felon Friendly?	Background Check	Notes
Assembly / Production Operator	Case-by-case	Yes — ~7-year lookback, plus drug screen	Line work building washers, dryers, and refrigerators. Primary entry-level position and often the most accessible.
Material Handler / Warehouse	Case-by-case	Yes — standard criminal check	Moving parts and finished goods. Frequently open due to high volume.
Forklift Operator	Case-by-case	Yes — standard criminal check	Certification often provided or required. Steady demand at plants and distribution centers.
Machine Operator	Case-by-case	Yes — standard criminal check	Running stamping, molding, and fabrication equipment. Violent or theft offenses draw scrutiny.
Maintenance Technician / Skilled Trades	Case-by-case	Yes — comprehensive check	Electrical and mechanical roles. Trade credentials and a clean recent history help.

Whirlpool Hiring Practices

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's largest home-appliance manufacturer, with about 44,000 employees and major U.S. plants concentrated in Ohio, Iowa, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Massachusetts. The company does not publish a blanket policy barring people with criminal records. Its typical process is to extend a conditional offer, then run a background check — commonly a seven-year lookback — and a drug screen, reviewing any conviction individually. Employee reports on Indeed and similar sites indicate Whirlpool has hired people with records, particularly for assembly and warehouse jobs where turnover and volume are high. Decisions weigh the nature and age of the offense against the safety-sensitive factory setting, so violence-, weapons-, or theft-related felonies get the closest look. Many roles are filled through staffing agencies before converting to full-time.

Tips for Getting Hired

Apply through the Whirlpool careers site, and also check staffing agencies that place workers into Whirlpool plants — temp-to-hire is a common path into assembly and warehouse roles. Target production operator, material handler, and forklift openings, which tend to be the most accessible. Be honest about your record, since the background check is thorough, and be prepared to pass a current drug test. Highlight any factory, warehouse, forklift, or skilled-trade experience, and emphasize reliability, attendance, and willingness to work rotating or overnight shifts. If a plant near you is not hiring directly, a staffing agency assignment can get your foot in the door and let you prove yourself before converting to a permanent Whirlpool position.

Application Tips for People with Records

1.Apply through the Whirlpool careers site and target assembly, warehouse, and forklift roles.
2.Consider staffing agencies that place workers into Whirlpool plants — temp-to-hire is a common route.
3.Be ready to pass a pre-employment drug screen and a background check with a ~7-year lookback.
4.Be honest about your record and prepared to explain what has changed.
5.Highlight factory, warehouse, forklift, or skilled-trade experience.
6.Emphasize reliability, strong attendance, and willingness to work rotating or overnight shifts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Whirlpool hire felons?: Whirlpool does hire some people with felony records. There is no blanket ban, and employees report the company has hired people with backgrounds, especially for assembly and warehouse roles, after an individualized background review.
Does Whirlpool do background checks?: Yes. Whirlpool conducts a criminal background check, commonly a seven-year lookback, typically after extending a conditional offer.
Does Whirlpool drug test?: Yes. Whirlpool generally requires a pre-employment drug screen for its safety-sensitive manufacturing roles, so applicants should be able to pass a current test.
Where are Whirlpool plants located?: Major U.S. plants are in Clyde, Marion, Findlay, Ottawa, and Greenville, Ohio; Amana, Iowa; Cleveland, Tennessee; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Fall River, Massachusetts. The company is headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
What jobs are easiest to get at Whirlpool with a record?: Assembly and production operator, material handler, and forklift roles are usually the most accessible, and many start through staffing agencies before converting to full-time.

Take Action — Direct Links

Whirlpool Careers
Search and apply for open positions across Whirlpool plants and offices.
National HIRE Network
Free resources for people with criminal records seeking employment.

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Disclaimer: This is informational only, not legal advice. Company hiring policies change frequently and may vary by location, franchise, or position. Always confirm the current policy with the hiring manager or HR representative. A background check does not automatically disqualify you — you have rights under the EEOC guidelines and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).