Does Ryder Hire Felons in 2021?

Is trucking in your blood? Then stay with us and we’ll answer the question: Does Ryder hire felons? Ryder provides fleet management services, trucks with professional drivers and warehouse facilities to a wide variety of industries.

Relaunch Pad contacts companies directly to get answers to questions like this. We also want to answer others, such as:

Does Ryder hire felons who have worked in the trucking industry?
Are there any good entry-level jobs?
How does Ryder do background checks?
Does Ryder hire people with misdemeanors?

To do so, we did a ton of research. We want to give you as much information as possible about how to get hired at Ryder. We know what it’s like to find work with a criminal record because our staff either has one or has assisted those with one.

Here’s everything we learned about getting a job at Ryder with a criminal record.

Does Ryder hire felons?

Official company policy for hiring felons

Unfortunately, we have not made contact yet. We’re hoping to hear soon from the company about an official response. We started our research on their website, but it doesn’t state their policy, so we’re not sure where they stand.

The only thing we know is that Ryder confirms they comply with EEOC requirements, so they don’t discriminate against job applicants protected by this legislation.

Has Ryder hired felons in the past?

There are conflicting answers online, se we can’t be sure.

Does Ryder hire people with misdemeanors?

Our research didn’t confirm that they do or they don’t. However, if you can get a job at Ryder with a felony, then we think it’s possible to get hired with a misdemeanor since they are less serious.

Is Ryder on the Ban the Box list?

No, Ryder is not on the Ban the Box list. What’s more, there’s no record that they’ve signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge.

Let us help you understand what this means.

Employers, whether they’re companies or state governments, are on the Ban the Box list if they’re committed to looking at an applicant’s job qualifications before their criminal record. They demonstrate this by removing the criminal record check box from their job application form.

Furthermore, companies can sign the Fair Chance Business Pledge to tell applicants that their application will be given a fair chance (even if the applicant has a criminal record).

While Ryder’s not involved in these programs, it doesn’t mean they won’t hire felons. However, a trucking company will need to know about your driving record, so they need to ask about your background. More on this later!

Does Ryder have special programs for hiring felons?

No, Ryder doesn’t appear to have any such special programs.

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

In our opinion, the odds that you can get a job at Ryder with a felony are uncertain.

We say this because:

Ryder hasn’t yet given us an official policy or statement about hiring felons.
The company is neither on the Ban the Box list nor have they signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge.
There are conflicting employee comments online about whether or not Ryder hires felons.
We know there are certain felonies that will stop you from getting a job here (see below).

What are some entry-level jobs?

If you’re wondering how to get hired at Ryder without a high school education, here are some examples of entry-level jobs:

Service Employee, includes Vehicle Washer and Fueler
Class A Truck Driver (may include signing bonus)

That said, most jobs at the company require at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Here are some examples:

Material Handler
Warehouse Floor Clerk
Customer Service Coordinator
Case Picker
Logistics and Transportation Clerk
Dispatch Clerk

Keep in mind that some of these positions require a year or more of related experience, while others include on-the-job training. In addition, the company says they like to promote from within. Here’s a quote from Ryder’s website about their commitment to helping staff do well:

“We have a long history of investing in our employees by providing a collaborative team-based environment that encourages growth across all levels and positions.”

How to get hired at Ryder with a felony

First, you’ll need this link to Ryder’s careers page. Notice that they’re a well-established company with a large number of staff. This means that there are likely to always be some job openings.

When you complete an online application, double-check that the data you enter is consistent with what’s in your resume. Never underestimate the power of a strong resume! It tells your employer what skills you have, so make sure you show the ones that match the job you want.

Here are some tips for an interview:

Practice ahead of time how you’ll answer any questions that might throw you off, such as those about gaps in employment, circumstances of felonies, etc.
During the interview, talk up your personal strengths when responding to questions.
Let the interviewers get to know you a little by including appropriate personal information in your answers.
If given the chance, say what your life experience has taught you and why you think this will make you a good employee.
Remember to include the value of any on-the-job training or higher education you completed while incarcerated.

Does Ryder do background checks?

Yes, they do. Here’s a requirement from a job posting for a driver, if you’re wondering what they check:

“[Applicants must] pass a Ryder Background and Motor vehicle check including drug and alcohol verification from previous employers for the last 3 years.”

Employees say a background check might also include a consumer credit check.

Here’s some valuable information about background checks:

In these states, background checks only go back seven years:

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

(* sometimes certain pay or salary bracket positions require one.)

Also, the following states won’t consider not guilty verdicts:

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

Unfortunately, the majority of states look at your entire record — and that includes not guilty verdicts. These states are:

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

Fortune Magazine has named Ryder one of the World’s Most Admired Companies for the seventh year in a row! That’s high praise.

The company gets decent ratings on both Indeed and Glassdoor. For example, based on over 2,900 reviews from indeed.com, they score 3.5 out of 5 stars. The rating on glassdoor.com is a comparable 3.2 out of 5 with 1,100 reviews.

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

As you might expect, certain felony convictions might make it harder to get hired at Ryder.

Ryder’s job descriptions often tell you what felonies or misdemeanors will hurt your chances most, so read them over carefully.

If you have a history of assault, this could be a problem. Expect to convince the hiring manager that you can get along well with others on the job.

Ryder comes right out and says they’re a drug-free workplace. As such, they will look closely at any past convictions involving drugs or other substances. Make sure you can explain the circumstances of your convictions, and assure them that you won’t be coming to work under the influence.

Finally, if your job involves driving, the company will pay attention to any driving convictions. This is because they need to make sure it won’t cost them an arm and a leg to insure you to drive for them.

Does Ryder drug test?

Ryder does require a drug test before they hire you. Some job postings list this as a requirement. And, according to employees, some positions require random drug tests.

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

Can you help our readers understand how to get a job at Ryder with a felony? We’d really like to hear from you!