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Does Baxter International Hire Felons in 2021?

By Last update October 9, 2018
does Baxter International hire felons of all kinds

Have you ever considered a job in the medical field with a company where you can really make a difference? If so, you’re likely wondering, does Baxter International hire felons?

We are excited to tell you about how to get a job at Baxter International with a felony since we asked them directly about their hiring policy. We’ll also cover typical job search questions like:

  • Does Baxter International do background checks?
  • How to prepare for an interview?
  • Does Baxter International hire people with misdemeanors?
  • Will my conviction stop me from getting a job here?

This article will arm you with the information you need to apply for a job at Baxter International.

Relaunch Pad works hard to help men and women get back on their feet after prison. We strive to help those with prior convictions gain employment all over the country. We also practice what we preach by hiring people with felony convictions ourselves.

So, let’s jump right in and find out how to get a job at Baxter International with a felony.

Does Baxter International Hire Felons?

does Baxter International hire felons of all kinds

Official company policy for hiring felons

We asked Baxter International directly if they hired those with a felony conviction and they told us:

“Baxter does not have any ban on hiring persons with criminal convictions and in fact, we have removed the question of whether a person has a conviction from our application (“Ban the Box”). We look at each situation individually based on circumstances, including nature of conviction, when conviction occurred, nature of job being sought in light of nature of conviction, criminal history (one conviction or more), and other relevant factors.

A person with a criminal history should apply for any position for which he or she meets minimum qualifications and there are no special programs for felons versus non felons. If the person is the most qualified applicant and is extended an offer of employment, a standard background check will be run and an analysis conducted.”

We like that they will consider a qualified former felon after looking at their background. However, will your record will stop you from being hired? Let’s look at their hiring practices to find out.

Have they hired felons in the past?

Baxter International did not confirm or deny if they have hired felons in the past. However, they said that hiring decisions are made by local ownership and management. Considering what they said above, it is likely that they have hired felons in the past.

Don’t get discouraged. By allowing local owners and managers to make hiring decisions, they show flexibility with their hiring practices. More importantly, they will look at your record on its own. Based on this, they’ve come across this situation before.

Does Baxter International hire people with misdemeanors?

They didn’t confirm one way or another. However, considering they’re willing to look at former felons, chances are they do.

Is Baxter International on the Ban the Box list?

The Ban the Box campaign advocated by civil rights groups and its sister movement, the Fair Chance Business Pledge, work to help felons get back on their feet. Both of these initiatives have made strides in encouraging employers to remove criminal history questions from their applications. This helps former felons get farther in the employment process. Companies that support these initiatives are good to apply to.

Baxter International has removed criminal history questions from their applications. That is great news! They judge people on their qualifications.

Does Baxter International have any special programs for hiring felons?

Baxter International does not have any specific programs for hiring felons. Always remember to check with your local job placement agencies or workforce centers. They usually have programs specifically designed to help those with criminal backgrounds gain employment.

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

Average likelihood of being hired with a felony

We think your odds are average that you will get hired at Baxter International with a felony. We love that they do not ask about criminal histories on the applications, but they do still perform background checks if they decide to extend an offer of employment. They will assess your charges and do an analysis to figure out if you’re a fit or not.

What about when it comes to more minor charges? We think the chances for getting hired for minor convictions are better than with a felony. No matter the odds, you will only know if you apply!

What are some entry-level jobs?

Baxter International is a large company with plenty of locations. That is a good thing. Although this is a pharmaceutical company, there are jobs you don’t need special degrees for. You are qualified for jobs here! Every location will need help with entry-level jobs like the ones below:

  • Maintenance Mechanics
  • Facilities Technicians
  • Material Handlers
  • Machine Operators
  • Truck Drivers

Remember, each location will likely be hiring for cleaning positions and facility upkeep positions. These are also great entry-level jobs. Plus, many of the jobs we browsed through are available for different shifts, so be flexible in your schedule.

If you have engineering, sales or marketing expertise, you should browse their available positions. Many people overlook the fact that they have experience prior to their convictions that they can use to find a job.

Your conviction does not define who you are.

How to get hired at Baxter International with a felony

You’ll need to research their job portal and see what jobs they have to offer if you want to get hired at Baxter International with a felony. Don’t get intimidated by the postings you see. Focus on the jobs they offer that match your experiences.

You may not think you have much work experience, but consider the jobs you held in prison. Did you work as a clerk or librarian? How about down jobs or janitorial services for the warden? You may have even had a job in the infirmary at the prison. That’s great! The skills you learned there can translate to real-world jobs.

While we realize that these jobs may not be medical related (except the infirmary), consider the following skills you got from those jobs:

  • Great time management
  • Organizational skills
  • Ability to communicate effectively
  • Janitorial skills

You need to think about volunteer work as well. If you’re not sure what skills will help you, ask a friend. Also, a job placement agency will help you with your resume.

Remember, any classes you take in prison count. Many prisons offer commercial driver’s license training and other vocational courses.

Choose the location you want to apply to and go there in person. By showing up in person, you are sending the message that you are serious about gaining employment. Look the part by dressing well and grooming appropriately. This includes having a fresh haircut, trimming any facial hair and doing your best to cover tattoos until you know what the company policy says about them.

Listen, we realize that people have tattoos. No big deal, but you don’t want a manager’s first thought to be, “I bet they did time.” You want them to think, “This person needs to be a part of our team.”

Does Baxter International do background checks?

Yes, Baxter International does perform background checks. They told us that if the person who applies is the most qualified and is extended an offer of employment, they will perform a standard background check and analyze the results. This is good and bad, depending on your record. A background check won’t disqualify you, but a certain felony may work against you.

Here’s what you need to know about background checks:

Some states don’t even look at offenses that are more than seven years ago, so if you are on that sixth year, you may want to wail a year before applying. These states don’t look at your record if it’s seven years old:

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

*sometimes certain pay or salary bracket positions require one.

Here is the list of states that do not consider court cases in which you were found not guilty:

  • Alaska
  • California
  • Hawaii
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • New York

Some states show everything on their background check process. Employers will even see cases in which you were found not guilty. If you are looking for a job in these states, employers will see your entire record:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Connecticut
  • DC
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • New Jersey
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina

Company ratings

Baxter International has thousands of reviews on the site glassdoor.com. They have an average score of 3.4 out of a possible 5 and 59% of people who responded would recommend working at Baxter International to a friend.

We read through many of the reviews left by former employees. Positive comments revolved around them having good benefits and friendly coworkers. People also liked being able to work somewhere that makes a positive change in people’s lives. Some of the negative comments revolve around what we find is typical for most places, which are complaints about management and pay.

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

We know you may still be wondering, does Baxter International hire felons? We think there is a good chance they do. However, specific convictions will make it a little more difficult. Baxter told us they look at each situation individually based on the circumstances. This includes the nature of convictions, when they occurred, the nature of the job and other criminal history.

We think that the following types of convictions may have a harder time gaining employment at Baxter International:

  • Theft convictions. Many employers are hesitant to hire someone with multiple theft-related convictions (robbery, burglary, larceny, etc.).
  • Sex crime convictions. This will likely be looked at on a case-by-case basis, looking closely at what kind of job you are applying for. These convictions may not matter as much for positions such as machine operators, material handler, and janitors.

Always be aware of your full criminal history and be ready to answer questions about your past. Since they’re willing to look at qualified felons, you need to show why you should get the job. Don’t skip applying for a job just because you think they may reject you because of your convictions. You never know until you try.

Does Baxter International drug test?

We could not find specific policy related to drug testing, however, it’s likely they do drug test for certain positions such as management or jobs that require operating machinery.

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

Now we want to hear from you. Have you worked at Baxter International? Pass along tips on how to get hired at Baxter International. We want to help as many people as possible gain employment, so any tips you leave our readers are greatly appreciated.

Good luck on your search!

Allen Watson
Reentry Educator

Allen has a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and a Master's Degree in Teaching from Coastal Carolina University. He has worked in education, EMS, and law enforcement. Allen has worked extensively with people who are re-establishing their lives after leaving prison.