Felons who wish to work in the manufacturing sector might want to work at John Deere. But do they hire felons? Let’s check
Does John Deere hire felons?
The answer is yes. John Deere hires felons on a case-by-case basis but the chances of getting hired with a felony record are very low.
John Deere does not have an official policy about hiring felons but their website mentions that they are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We expect the same courtesy to be extended to felons as well.
John Deere is not a part of the Ban-The-Box campaign or Fair Chance Business Pledge.
Companies that support these initiatives do not ask questions related to criminal records in the application form so that each applicant is evaluated on the basis of skills.
But it is not necessary to be a part of these initiatives to be a felon-friendly employer. We came across instances in the past where John Deere has hired felons.
Does John Deere run background checks?
Background checks are conducted as a part of the hiring process. Background checks usually include identity verification, criminal records, educational and previous employment records. If the job involves driving then driving records are also checked.
Background checks can vary depending on the state in which you are applying for the job. Background checks go back as far as 7 years in most states but in some states, they consider all the available information.
Also, some states also include non-guilty verdicts in the background check reports while most others don’t. So it is uncertain what information will show up in background checks. You can run a background check on yourself to be sure what information will be shown in the reports.
In some states, you can get your records expunged or sealed after a period of 8 to 10 years. Usually, non-violent offenses are eligible for expungement but it depends on the state laws. Expunged records do not show in background checks and can improve your odds of getting hired.
Does John Deere conduct drug tests?
John Deere conducts drug tests while hiring new employees. Usually, a hair follicle test is done to check for the presence of drugs.
How to get hired at John Deere with a felony?
John Deere is a company that manufactures agricultural, construction, and forestry machinery, diesel engines, drive trains (axles, transmissions, gearboxes) used in heavy equipment, and lawn care equipment.
They provide employee benefits like competitive pay, paid time off, wellness programs, tuition fee payment plans, and more.
You can search for available job opportunities by visiting their careers page. You can directly apply for a suitable job from the online portal by creating your profile.
The interview process starts with a telephonic round followed by one or more on-site personal interviews. The hiring process can take longer up to a few weeks also.
Final Thoughts
As per the feedback and testimonials from employees, getting hired at John Deere with a felony is difficult. However, it depends on various factors like the seriousness of your offense and your records before and after the conviction. So if there is a suitable vacancy then you should try.