Yes, Tyson Foods does background checks, but only in the animal welfare area. Jobs in other departments don’t need background checks. They’re done after you receive a job offer. However, in order to confirm your eligibility to work, they use E-Verify, which has some level of basic background check.
You can count on most employers doing a background check of some sort. For example, businesses are required, by law, to at least confirm the identity of the individuals they hire and that they’re eligible to work in the United States.
Here’s what you need to know about background checks:
When conducting background checks, some states only allow employers to look back seven years. Below is a list of those states:
- California
- Colorado*
- Kansas*
- Maryland*
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire*
- New York*
- Texas*
- Washington*
(* sometimes certain pay or salary bracket positions require one.)
However, if you were found not guilty, there are states that don’t consider those court cases. Eight states are currently on this list:
- Alaska
- California
- Hawaii
- Indiana (limited check)
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
And yet, some states will look at your whole record, including cases with not guilty verdicts. Keep this in mind if you live in one of the following states:
- 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
On glassdoor.com, Tyson Foods received a 3.4 out of 5 star overall rating from reviewers who do or have worked there. They also received 3.7 out of 5 stars for compensation and benefits and 3.5 out of 5 for career opportunities.
They have some very good online ratings from employees. As one employee said, “There are good benefits for employees, respectful reputation, good pay, and good advancement opportunities.” Further, they said that there were “long hours and some 6-day work weeks, and no work-life balance for employees.”
What felonies Tyson Foods will not hire
Not sure. The Tyson Foods employment website and online application do not include anything about hiring felons or anything specific about offenses or charges that will exclude you from consideration.
What felony convictions might have a hard time getting hired here?
Having a criminal record could be a challenge for former felons who are looking at career areas beyond production positions. For example, if you are seeking a position in the finance office, but you have prior convictions involving theft, then you may have difficulty getting hired for such a position.
Generally speaking, whether you have a felony or misdemeanor on your record, you should not have a hard time getting an entry-level position at Tyson Foods.
Does Tyson Foods hire sex offenders?
Unclear. There is nothing about sex offenses, or any other types of offenses, on their website or application. Applications from sex offenders are often managed by many companies on a case-by-case basis.
Does Tyson Foods drug test?
Online reports were mixed. Some stated that they took their drug test on the same day as their physical, while others commented that they took their drug test within about 72 hours of being hired. We even found that some applicants who were hired said that they received a drug test as late as one week after hiring. However, it is worth noting that a few indicated they never received a drug test or that drug testing can be random and done at any time after hiring.
Have you applied for a job or worked here? Share your experiences!
We hope that we have answered most of your questions. Please share any information that might be helpful to former felons who are looking to get hired at Tyson Foods.