Question: Does Home Depot Hire Felons
Short Answer: In most states Home Depot will NOT hire felons generally speaking. There are a few exceptions in select states that prohibit Home Depot from running a background check farther back than 7 years. Continue reading to learn more…
Does Home Depot Hire Felons?
Home depot is a large home improvement chain that has thousands of employees spread across the United States. If you have looked for a lists of employers that hire felons on the internet you may have found the Home Depot listed as “felon friendly.” We have not found this not to be the reality.
Hired one day, fired the next
There are many rumors that Home Depot will hire felons and this is due to several reasons. The first reason is because felons always seem to get far into the hiring process without having any issues. Many felons have a first and second interview, complete their drug test (passing) and then are told that they can start orientation. Sounds great right? What happens is that when the background check comes back they will call you or send a letter saying that are not eligible for employment.
Home Depot runs a background check as the last step of the hiring process and they generally get it back just before orientation starts. We have heard reports that state that the applicant declared his or her felony on the application and even talked about it with the hiring manager. Thinking everything is great the applicant has high hopes of being hired but only to have their hopes dashed at the last moment.
Here is what one applicant had to say;
“I have a friend who applied, was honest about his criminal past, made it through two interviews, passed the drug test, and was scheduled for orientation. The DAY BEFORE he was to go in, he was called and told he would not be hired. Not once during ANY of this did any one mention his background being a problem (he had one felony of a bad check). I do hope it turns out differently for you, but I would be cautious until you actually start work. FYI- this was in Georgia.”
Source: Prison Talk Forum
Another applicant also had this to say to us;
“I made it all the way through the application process [Home Depot] and at the last minute they told me they could not hire me because of my felony conviction even though I told them about it on my application and in the interview.”
It is safe to say that Home Depots hiring process only gives false hope to many felons that apply.
Home Depot Background Check Limits in Some States
It is important to understand that some states have laws regarding how far back a criminal background check can go and this will allow some felons to be able to be hired by Home Depot. Here are the laws for each state.
Twelve states do not allow any felony conviction information older than seven years to be reported.
- California – No cap
- Colorado* Up to $75,000
- Kansas* Up to $20,000
- Maryland* Up to $20,000
- Massachusetts* Up to $20,000
- Montana – No cap
- Nevada – No Cap (Credit Only)
- New Hampshire* Up to $20,000
- New York * Up to $25,000
- Texas * Up to $75,000
- Washington* Up to $20,000
(* exceptions based on pay/salary)
If you live in a seven year background check state
If you do live in one of these states and it has been at least seven years since you 100% COMPLETED your sentence then our advice is to apply to Home Depot.
The next question you may have is should you tell home depot that you have a felony conviction? This is really up to you. If they abide by the law and only go back seven years you should be safe to say nothing. If they don’t follow the law chances are they will most likely not hire you anyway. Pay attention to the salary cap for your state, if your position at Home Depot pays more than the cap the 7 year rules goes out the window and is not in effect. So really it is your call, nothing in this article is legal advice.
I just got offered a job at home Depot! I am a felon and have a charge of receiving a stolen firearm! I guess I’m screwed from the looks of the forum!!
I hope it works out for you but don’t be surprised if they reject you at the last minute.
Did u get hired?
They did hire me and I am a home depot sales associate
Great news!
Hey , I’ve just finished my phone interview , & they pretty much said I have the job I’m just waiting on my background too come back but I’m scared I have no felony’s just a few misdemeanors , such as simple battery & giving a false name about a year ago … What do y’all think ?
Well to be honest I am not really sure as it varies so much between stores. The background check is the last step so keep your fingers crossed. Please keep us posted on what happens please! First hand information is very helpful to us and our readers! Wishing you the best luck but be prepared for disappointment just in case. Home depot is very well known for last second disappointments.
I was offered a position on the 18th of sep.. 2015 hired on the spot drug test that day took a background test 4 days later four days after that orientation letter to start on 10/5/15!! I have a felony from 2007… hope this helps. I would go for it !!! You never know what they are looking for and I work in the cooporate office in Atlanta.
Awesome great to hear! Thank you very much!!!
I agree Jason. People @ my church and I know have specific jobs OR careers that they must have. When you’re in need … take what you can until something BETTER comes. As far as no work for multiple years. That’s a no applying issue. My son, brother, etc. have that problem. They complain … apply to a couple a jobs and that’s it. I explain, if you can spend most of your time creating wrong, Facebook and video games. Then allow that time to CORRECT your life. I know for a fact that airports (food package for each plane),… Read more »
i use to work for home depot i had to do a little time i reapplied for the company told them i had a felony they still called me in for a interview did my drug test passed once my background check came back the denied me and this was on july 1 2015 they just called me again this morning but im not even going to waste my time
That seems to be the trend with home depot. I know it is disappointing and they waste people’s time. Wish you all the best.
One must sign a release form and submit a social security number in order for a background check to be done. It takes about two weeks for the background check to be done as it done by a third party. It will come back as PASS, FAIL or MAYBE. You will receive a copy of the results either way. I know because I had this happen with Dillards in 2008 when I did not have enough time in with my 2004 felony conviction (possession of cocaine i.e. having crack crumbs test postive for cocaine. In the past, I have made… Read more »
Good information, Thank you! I know it can be really hard but I talk to and see people that do end up finding jobs. It takes a lot of patience and persistence though and is a very frustrating process.
http://www.gofundme.com/2ndchancegrind
Good luck Ken!
I don’t mind folks posting a few relevant links to a worthy causes but please dont spam the entire site. I removed all links on all the other pages you posted. Thank you and please understand the need to keep this site relevant, clean and useful to those that need it. Have a great day and good luck!
I have a MISDEMEANOR and I passed everything and the day before my orientation they called saying I failed the back ground test
Thank you for the information and I am sorry to hear that. Very disheartening but don’t give up!!!
How old is your misdemeanor, Nick?
I already had a job before I actually applied to Home Depot. I went through the entire hiring process and was assigned to the Brentwood stair store in Fort Worth. Upon arrival, after orientation at the cooper store located in Arlington Texas, I was told that they weren’t able to hire me because of my criminal background. I was making & $13 an hour, was told to go ahead and put in my two weeks notice because I was onboard. Home Depot didn’t want to pay me for attending orientation, so I ended up having to call corporate office to… Read more »
Home Depot ruined my life further. No regrets whatsoever, from Home Depot. Nardelli ended up getting the check paid and sent out to me.
To deprive soemones right to own a fire arm for hunting or self defense is stupid. I feel that if a person is convicted of a felony ( I have been), they shouldnt be allowed to have any while on parole/probation. If a weapon was used during the commision of the crime, they shouldnt be allowed to carry one or have it outside of the house at ALL, but should be allowed to have one in the house for self defense. We all have the right to self defense no matter what our criminal background is. My children shouldnt have… Read more »
If you cant find a job in 10 years, something is wrong. Period. Background or no background. I have multiple felonies, don’t live in a very populated area, and have never been more than 2 weeks with ought a job in 15 years. So, if you cant get a job, in that amount of time, it has nothing to do with felonies.