Tyson Foods Hiring Overview For 2023

Founded 1935

Type Public

Headquarters Springdale, AR

Size Large Corporation

Industry Food processing

If you love to eat chicken or are interested in getting into the food industry, then Tyson may be a good place to roost. But let’s see if Tyson Foods hires felons in the first place. A major corporation that started in Arkansas, they are now one of the food processing industry’s largest producers of chicken, beef and pork. They have thousands of people employed in 27 states. As a result, they’re always hiring!

Getting a job when you’ve got a criminal record is rarely an easy task. What can you do to make it easier? Well, Relaunch Pad has directly contacted over 1,000 companies to gather info on their hiring policies for former felons, including Tyson Foods. 

Here are some of the questions we will address in this article:

  • Does Tyson Foods hire people with misdemeanors?
  • How do I apply?
  • Does Tyson Foods do background checks?
  • Will my felony disqualify me?

What are your chances of finding a  job at Tyson Foods in the US with a felony? We’ll get to that, but before we do, we want you to know that our team really understands what you are going through because many of us have been there. Did you know that aside from hiring people with criminal records, we have gone into prisons and spoken to inmates about resumes and job searching?

The Relaunch Pad is dedicated to helping former felons to locate and get hired in good jobs that will enable them to get their lives on track.

Okay, so what’s the scoop on getting hired at Tyson Foods with a felony on your record? We’ll cover that right now.

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Does Tyson Foods hire felons?

Confirmed felon employer

Ban the Box supporter

Fair Chance Business Pledge signatory

the Tyson Foods logo

Official company policy for hiring felons

We contacted Tyson foods directly to ask what their policy is for hiring former felons, and this is what the employment manager for production told us:

“We’re an equal opportunity employer.”

Has Tyson Foods hired felons in the past?

Yes! Tyson Foods told us they have.

Does Tyson Foods hire people with misdemeanors?

Another yes! Since Tyson Foods has a record of hiring former felons, we believe that people with misdemeanors should have an easier chance of getting hired.

Will Tyson Foods hire you with pending charges?

Tyson Foods is an equal opportunity employer and claims they will hire people with a criminal record, and this would cover people with pending charges. Online reviews seem to back this up.

Reviews

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Interviews

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What are the chances of Tyson Foods hiring a felon?

Is Tyson Foods on the Ban the Box list?

Absolutely! Tyson Foods does not ask about criminal convictions on their online application, which is exactly what the initiative Ban the Box is about. Employers agree to consider a former felon’s job qualifications before looking at criminal history when they support Ban the Box.

Also, Tyson Foods has accepted the Fair Chance Business Pledge. Employers taking the Pledge show their willingness to work to remove any barriers to employment for job seekers with criminal records. Consequently, you should feel confident that you can get a job at Tyson Foods with a felony!

Does Tyson Foods have special programs for hiring felons?

Through our research of the company, we didn’t find any special programs in place for hiring felons.

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

High likelihood of hiring felons

Does Tyson Foods hire felons? They told us they do, and we have multiple firsthand accounts confirming this. Therefore, based on our research, we believe that former felons have a high chance of getting hired at Tyson Foods with a felony.

They’re also an Equal Opportunity Employer. This prohibits them from screening applicants based on their criminal history unless the job requires that they consider your criminal background.

How to get hired at Tyson Foods with a felony

What are some entry-level jobs?

Some examples of entry-level jobs include grounds, labor and production positions. Many require that you work on your feet for long hours in a fast-paced environment. You can also expect to have to stand in hot, cold, dusty, wet and even icy conditions with exposure to allergens, dust, feed ingredients, etc.

  • Building/Grounds Keeper — Cleans the grounds and work environment
  • Marination Attendant — Sets up and operates equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products.
  • Wash Bay Attendant — Maintains a safe work environment. Must also have valid driver’s license and be able to drive tractors with or without trailers.
  • General Production — Does entry-level non-skilled general labor, fast-paced and repetitive motions. Requires standing, walking, bending, pushing, pulling, climbing, etc.
  • General Labor — Work in a cold, hot, wet and slippery environment. Involves live receiving, evisceration, deboning, cutting-up, shipping and packing

Tips to get hired here with a felony

Given the varied work conditions at Tyson Foods, it’s important that you have the ability to adapt. It would benefit you to show jobs that you’ve had in the past that had similar requirements. Be sure to mention any jobs where you gained experience and skills in ground keeping, production or labor.

As you prepare to submit your application, be sure that you double-check it for accuracy and completeness. Whether you’re on the phone or meeting in person, present your best self with a smile, and clean clothes. Be on time and prepared.

We offer some helpful resume tips here, so check them out.

Always have someone read your resume and give you feedback. You can also get help with some job training or workforce development services in your area.

Once you land an interview, get your clothes together. You’ll want to make sure they’re clean and pressed. While a suit isn’t necessary, business casual is suggested. You also want to cover any tattoos or other body art that might send the wrong message to the interviewer. You want your engagement to be focused on why they should hire you, and nothing else!

Your ability to work flexible shifts, days, nights, holidays and weekends are selling points, so mention those if you’re able to.

If you are interested in working for Tyson Foods, click on their careers page. Take a look around the different job postings and familiarize yourself with their tasks and working conditions. Their application is customized to randomly select applicants, so if you’re not hired a month after submitting your application, reapply next month.

Does Tyson Foods do background checks?

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.

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