Temp Agencies That Hire Felons

Last Updated on: March 31, 2026

Some temp agencies do hire felons, but there is rarely a simple yes or no rule that applies to every job. In many cases, the staffing agency may be willing to work with you, but the final placement still depends on the client company, the type of job, your offense, how long ago it happened, and whether the conviction relates to the work.

That is why temp agencies can still be one of the best ways for felons to get back to work. They handle a high volume of openings, they often need workers quickly, and they may be able to direct you toward jobs that are more realistic for your background.

Why Temp Agencies Can Be a Good Option for Felons

Temp agencies can help for a few important reasons.

• You can apply for many jobs at once instead of filling out separate applications everywhere.
• Some openings are urgent, which can make employers more flexible.
• Many temp jobs are in warehouse, production, sanitation, assembly, and general labor, which are often more realistic for people with records.
• Temp to hire jobs can give you a chance to prove yourself before a company decides whether to bring you on permanently.
• A good recruiter may know which client companies are more open and which ones are more strict.

Temp work is not a guarantee, but it can be one of the fastest ways to get back into the workforce.

How Temp Agencies Actually Work

A lot of people assume the temp agency makes the final hiring decision by itself. That is not always true. Usually, there are two levels of screening.

• First, the staffing agency decides whether it wants to move forward with you.
• Second, the client company decides whether it wants you placed in that specific role.

That matters because one staffing agency may be open to working with you, but some client companies they serve may still reject certain applicants for certain jobs.

This is also why the same agency might place one person with a felony into a warehouse role, but reject another person for a driving job, a healthcare role, a school related role, or a position involving money handling.

List of Temp Agencies That Hire Felons

What Temp Agencies Usually Look At

Most temp agencies and client companies look at things like:

• How long ago the conviction happened
• Whether the offense was violent or nonviolent
• Whether the offense relates directly to the job
• Whether there are open charges or warrants
• Drug screening results
• Transportation reliability
• Attendance history
• Shift flexibility
• Whether you were honest about your background

In plain terms, many employers care less about your past than they do about whether you will show up, work hard, and stay out of trouble.

Staffing Agency Notes

Kelly Services

Older pages across the internet often make Kelly sound like a dead end for people with records. That is no longer the safest way to describe them. Kelly publicly promotes its Kelly 33 Second Chances Program. That does not mean every Kelly job is open to felons, but it does mean Kelly should not be dismissed automatically.

Honest Jobs

Honest Jobs is not a temp agency, but it belongs on this page because it is a fair chance employment platform built specifically for people with criminal records. It is a strong backup option if temp agencies are not getting you results.

Local fair chance programs

If you live in a larger city, check for local fair chance hiring programs too. Programs like these can create real opportunities outside the normal temp agency route.

Why Small Local Temp Agencies Can Sometimes Be Better

A lot of people focus only on the big national names, but small local staffing agencies can sometimes be the better option.

Why?

• They may work with smaller companies that do not have rigid corporate screening rules.
• You may be able to speak with the owner or recruiter directly.
• They may know exactly which local employers are open to second chance workers.
• They may move faster than larger agencies.
• They may care more about whether you can show up tomorrow than what happened years ago.

If you only apply to the biggest staffing companies, you may miss some of the best opportunities.

What to Say About Your Felony

You do not need to tell your whole life story. Keep it short, honest, and focused on work.

Sample script

“I want to be upfront that I do have a felony on my record. It was several years ago, and since then I have been working to move forward. I am dependable, I have reliable transportation, and I am open to warehouse, production, sanitation, assembly, or general labor work. I am ready to prove myself.”

That kind of answer works better than being defensive, vague, or overly detailed. You can also read about how to explain your criminal record here.

Temp to Hire Can Be One of the Best Paths

A temp to hire position can be especially helpful for felons because it gives the employer time to evaluate:

• Attendance
• Work ethic
• Attitude
• Reliability
• Safety
• Ability to work with others

In many cases, a company that might hesitate on paper becomes more comfortable after seeing how you perform on the job. That is one reason temp agencies are often a smarter strategy than applying only to direct hire jobs online.

What to Do If a Temp Agency Says No

Do not let one rejection stop you.

Do this next

• Apply to five to ten agencies, not one
• Focus on industrial and labor focused firms first
• Try local agencies, not just national brands
• Use your state workforce office
• Check local reentry programs
• Ask probation or parole if they know employers open to second chance hiring
• Look for overnight, warehouse, sanitation, and production work first
• Work on expungement or record sealing if your state allows it

A no from one recruiter usually means that one opening was not a fit. It does not mean every temp agency will say no.

Other Resources That May Help Felons

• Felon Friendly Jobs
• High Paying Jobs for Felons
• Online/Remote Jobs for Felons
• Job Tips for Felons
• Felony Expungement and Sealing
• Background Check Laws (Seven Year States)

Background check results can vary by state. Learn more about how background check laws work.

FAQ About Temp Agencies for Felons

Disclaimer

Hiring policies vary by agency, office, recruiter, client company, job type, location, and over time. Information on this page is based on general hiring patterns, public information, and reported experiences and is not a guarantee of employment. Nothing on this page should be considered legal advice.