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If you have a valid driver’s license and your own car, maybe you should think about working for a taxi company — or, better, an on-demand transportation service like Lyft. With a record, it only makes sense that you’d be wondering: Does Lyft hire felons?
Alternative taxi companies are gaining popularity. If you’re interested in being part of this company, this article will cover what you need to know in order to get a job at Lyft with a felony. Here’s what you’re about to find out:
- Does Lyft hire people with misdemeanors?
- How can I apply?
- Does Lyft do background checks?
- Will my felony disqualify me for a job at Lyft?
Finding a new job is not easy, especially when you have a felony. That’s why we directly contact companies and ask them if they hire former felons. We want to save you some trouble and help you get back on your feet. After all, we’re just like you and know what it’s like!
Relaunch Pad is committed to helping former felons achieve a normal life.
Below you will find what you need to know on how to get hired at Lyft when you have a felony record.
Does Lyft hire felons?
Official company policy for hiring felons
We have yet to make contact with Lyft, but will keep trying. To get the answers we needed, we did a bunch of research online for you.
According to their careers page, they welcome all and praise diversity.
Has Lyft hired felons in the past?
There is no official information stating if they have hired felons in the past.
Does Lyft hire people with misdemeanors?
We do not have any official information to answer this question, either.
Is Lyft on the Ban the Box list?
If you still don’t know what Ban the Box is, here is what you need to know: It’s a campaign that gets companies to stop asking about a candidate’s criminal background on their application forms. Another great initiative that matters to felons is the Fair Chance Business Pledge that helps people like you find a new opportunity while not suffering any sort of prejudice.
Lyft is not on Ban the Box. In fact, Philadelphia (where Ban the Box is law) filed a dispute stating that Lyft has broken the Ban the Box law. You can read more about it here. Since they’re not part of Ban the Box, it’s not a surprise they haven’t taken the Pledge.
Does Lyft have special programs for hiring felons?
Some companies do have special programs for people with criminal records . . . however, this doesn’t seem to be the case with Lyft. There is no official information regarding special programs offering jobs for felons, even though they say they’re diverse when hiring new employees.
What are the odds someone with a felony will get hired?
After extensive research, Relaunch Pad puts your odds of getting hired at Lyft with a felony at average. Even though they’re not on Ban the Box or part of the Fair Chance Business Pledge, they do strive for diversity when hiring. And since they list out felonies that would stop someone from getting hired, that suggests there are felonies that wouldn’t. Those with lighter records likely would have a better chance, as well. Read more to figure out how your record fits in here.
What are some entry-level jobs?
There are a ton of entry-level jobs at Lyft. Let’s be honest, though. You’re here because you want to work your own schedule and on your own terms. You’re interested in the driver position. If you’re a people person and like driving around town, then working as a freelance driver might be for you.
How to get hired at Lyft with a felony
After picking the kind of job you would like to apply for, it’s time to craft your resume — make sure you write it concisely and mention the information that matters the most to the position.
For example, if you want to work in the office, you’ll want to highlight your clerical skills. This means showing them you know how to use a computer and programs like Microsoft Word, as well as have the ability to talk to clients professionally.
Drivers will need their own car, to start. They’ll also need a valid driver’s license so they can be insured, and ability to follow directions. Being a natural-born compass doesn’t hurt, either! However, as long as you can follow a properly hands-free GPS device, you’ll be fine.
The company is all about diversity and inclusion, so talk those points up as well! Have you done some volunteer work, even while in jail? You’ll want to bring that up in the resume and talk about it in the interview. The more values you share with the company, the better fit you’ll be, so think about how you match them!
Be personable. Whenever you interact with Lyft, be your best self. Whether this is on the phone or through emails, make sure you’re polite and friendly at all times. You’re showing respect, sure, but you’re also showing them you know how to talk to people. You need them to like you so they know your patrons will like you, too!
Does Lyft do background checks?
Yes, in fact, they do — at least when it comes to driving for Lyft. For corporate jobs, it’s unclear. According to Lyft, to know more check this link.This should not let you down though!
This is what you need to know on background checks:
It the US, some states won’t let companies access felony records that happened seven ago. This makes it much easier for you to land a job! Make sure you check whether or not your state is part of this list:
- California
- Colorado*
- Kansas*
- Maryland*
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire*
- New York*
- Texas*
- Washington*
(* sometimes certain pay or salary bracket positions require one.)
Eight states currently only look at your guilty verdicts. These are:
- Alaska
- California
- Hawaii
- Indiana (limited check)
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
Unfortunately, some states want to see everything. Literally. If you live in one of the following states, your employer will see everything in a background check:
- 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
We also took the time to do a detailed analysis of Lyft’s ratings on websites such as glassdoor.com, where they reached a score of 4.2 out of 5. That’s a pretty good rating! There are almost 2,000 reviews and they are mostly very positive!
What makes their score so high is the fact that they’re very fair to employees, which is easily spotted on their former employee evaluations.
What felony convictions might have a hard time getting hired here?
Certain felonies are not tolerated by Lyft when it comes to driving jobs. As you can imagine, they mostly relate to your driving record and sobriety. That said, felonies involving theft or property damage would also be frowned upon.
Here is what Lyft sayson their Driver Requirements page:
The results of the background check are reviewed by Lyft and assessed against applicable regulations and Lyft’s internal safety criteria. You may be ineligible to drive on the Lyft platform if, at the time of your application, your background check results reveal that you:
- Are listed on the National Sex Offender Registry database;
- Have been convicted at any time of a disqualifying violent crime (such as homicide, kidnapping, human trafficking, arson, burglary, carjacking, robbery, or aggravated assault);
- Have been convicted at any time of a sexual offense (such as rape, sexual assault, or child pornography);
- Have been convicted at any time of an act of terror;
- Have been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the past seven years, or longer in some jurisdictions;
- Have been convicted of a disqualifying fraud-related offense in the past seven years for most jurisdictions, although this time frame may be longer, or shorter, in certain jurisdictions;
- Have been convicted of a disqualifying drug-related offense in the past seven years for most jurisdictions, although this time frame may be longer, or shorter, in certain jurisdictions;
- Have been convicted of a disqualifying theft or property damage offense in the past seven years for most jurisdictions, although this time frame may be longer, or shorter, in certain jurisdictions.
Please be aware that laws governing disqualifying convictions vary significantly by jurisdiction, and the above list is not inclusive of all disqualifying convictions. You may be found ineligible to drive for Lyft based on other types of records.
As for the office or corporate positions, it’s not clear what felonies might take you out of the running. We’d say they won’t like to see records that include charges for credit card or identity theft and breach of contract or trust.
Does Lyft drug test?
We don’t know. But, we know driving companies want sober drivers, so we wouldn’t be surprised if they did drug test.
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