Butterball Farms Hiring Overview For 2023

Is Butterball Farms on the Ban the Box list?

Here are two valuable programs that help ex-offenders applying for work:

• Ban the Box — Companies that support this initiative take the criminal record check box off their job application form. They want to make a decision on your fit for a job based on your skills before they look at your criminal record.
• Fair Chance Business Pledge — Businesses that sign the Pledge say they treat everyone fairly when they apply to work with them. This means people with a criminal history are dealt with the same way as people without one.

Butterball Farms isn’t on the Ban the Box list, nor have they taken the Fair Chance Business Pledge. However, they partnered with other companies in 2012 to create the Thirty-Two-Two initiative that pledges to “give opportunities to qualified people with a criminal record deserving a second chance.” The program began with 30 companies committing to employ two former felons for two years each. Today many companies participate and work together to identify and eliminate job barriers for former felons or “returning citizens.”

Does Butterball Farms have special programs for hiring felons?

Yes! We’re excited to say that they do. The company was instrumental in starting the Thirty-Two-Two initiative. This special program reaches out to many employers to encourage them to hire people with a criminal record. So, this helps explain how does Butterball Farms hire people with misdemeanors and felonies.

What are the odds someone with a felony will get hired?

We believe that the odds are high. Here’s the research that supports our opinion:

1. The company’s official policy is to consider all applicants, even those with criminal records.
2. They aren’t on the Ban the Box list and haven’t taken the Fair Chance Business Pledge.
3. They’re involved with the Thirty-Two-Two program.
4. Their workforce is made up of 33% ex-felons.

Once you’re hired at Butterball Farms, here’s some encouraging information that helps ex-offenders. The company is a member of The Source, an organization that assists employees in overcoming barriers to keeping or advancing in their jobs with training, education and support services.

What are some entry-level jobs?

Working as a Production Worker on the assembly line is the best example of an entry-level job at Butterball Farms. In this position, you’re responsible for making the company’s butter products. You learn the importance of food safety, sanitation and teamwork.

Other examples of entry-level jobs are working in the warehouse packing and shipping products and in maintenance making sure equipment is running properly.

Tips to get hired here with a felony

Look up job openings on the Butterball Farms website careers page. Applying is pretty straightforward. Simply enter your email and fill in an application.

That means getting your resume together. It’s always best to match it up to the qualifications of the job you apply for. The company needs assembly line workers who are fast, efficient, organized and cooperative with coworkers. Use these words to describe previous work experience. Remember to count any prison job responsibilities, sports you played and volunteer activities.

You should also:

• Raise your profile by filling in an online application in addition to emailing your resume.
• Learn about the Thirty-Two-Two initiative to find out how it can help you get a job at Butterball Farms with a felony.
• Read up on the awards the company has won to see what makes them a good employer, aside from the fact that they hire felons.

Even though it seems that you certainly can get a job at Butterball Farms with a felony you still need to show why they should hire you. Try the following:

• Check up on your application if you don’t hear back in a few weeks to show you’re very interested in an interview.
• Decide what personal stories demonstrate the skills you’re most proud of.
• Plan ahead how you’ll answer any difficult questions such as employment gaps, being fired, etc.
• Think about how you’ll get to an interview. Do you know the route? Do you have transportation?
• Imagine showing confidence and courtesy when you meet the hiring manager.

Yes. Butterball Farms tells us that this is done when a job is offered to a candidate.

This is a quote from the application form:

“The Company has my permission to . . . [contact] references I have listed, or any other sources, concerning my prior employment, personal information or credit standing . . . without prior written notice to me.”

Below is critical research showing what shows up in a background check in each state:

You only need to be concerned about the last seven years of your record in these states:

• California
• Colorado*
• Kansas*
• Maryland*
• Massachusetts
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire*
• New York*
• Texas*
• Washington*

(* sometimes certain pay or salary brackets require one.)

What’s more, if you live in the following states, don’t worry about any not guilty verdicts because they won’t be included in a background check:

• Alaska
• California
• Hawaii
• Indiana (limited check)
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• New York

Having said that, be warned that in most states your entire record will be reviewed. Here are the states where this happens:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• DC
• Delaware
• Florida
• Idaho
• Indiana (extensive check)
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Company ratings

There aren’t many reviews for Butterball Farms online. For example, Glassdoor has only one employee review! It rates Butterball Farms 3 out of 5 stars. The review describes the company as a “good entry-level employer to learn from . . . [that makes an] effort to hire people who would have a hard time finding a job (felony, didn’t speak English, etc.). Pay was a little low, but there were bonuses.”

Indeed has 15 reviews that give the company 3.9 out of 5. Pros mentioned included: clean environment, easy place to work, bonus checks and learned different skills. Some people said there were no cons. Others listed these cons: low pay, machines need updated and few opportunities to move up.

However, Butterball Farms has won some awards that you should know about. They were a 2019 winner of West Michigan Best and Brightest Companies to Work for award. This award “identifies and honors companies that deliver exceptional human resource practices and an impressive commitment to their employees. Organizations are assessed based on categories such as communication, work-life balance, employee education, diversity, recognition, retention and more.”

And that’s not all! Butterball Farms also was one of the 2018 winners of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation award.

What felonies Butterball Farms will not hire

The company didn’t give us a list, and they are pretty open about their hiring policies, so it will be situational rather than broad strokes.

What felony convictions might have a hard time getting hired here?

Does your criminal background include offenses involving drugs or alcohol or violence? Then it might impact how to get hired a Butterball Farms. Here’s why:

• Drug and alcohol offenses — These might suggest that you have a substance abuse problem. Convince the hiring manager that you’ll show up to work on time and not under the influence of any substance.
• Assault and related offenses — There’s no place for violence in the workplace. You must demonstrate that you can get along with your co-workers.

Does Butterball Farms hire sex offenders?

We’re not sure on this one, actually! While they’re open to hiring people with most types of felonies, they may pause here. Let us know!

Does Butterball Farms drug test?

We’re not sure. There’s no information that we can find to confirm that they do. But, the application says they are a drug-free workplace so expect that you might be tested.

Have you applied for a job or worked here? Share your experiences!

What do you think about our intel on when and how does Butterball Farms hire felons? Did we leave anything out that you can contribute?