Skip to Navigation
We know how difficult it is for a justice involved person to find a good job, and Relaunch Pad is here to help with our series of articles on how former felons can find jobs across the country. This article specifically focuses on finding jobs for felons in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Jobs that hire felons in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem is the largest city in Forsyth County and is the fourth-largest city in the state. It is also known as the “Twin City” due to its hyphenated name. Winston-Salem has many cultural attractions, including theater and fine arts. This, in combination with their large technological research industry, also makes Winston-Salem known as the “City of Arts and Innovation.”
Besides tech, there are a number of other large industries in Winston-Salem including aviation and aerospace, manufacturing, business services, and healthcare. All these areas provide lots of jobs that hire felons in Winston-Salem. To make your search more manageable, use our great search tool that will allow you to filter your results by job type, industry, etc.
Top companies that hire felons in Winston-Salem
While you may have difficulty finding management and senior level positions as a justice-involved person, there are many opportunities if you focus on entry-level jobs. Another good strategy is to look for a job using a temp or staffing agency. There are many employment agency jobs for felons in Winston-Salem. They always have a large inventory of openings, and they are familiar with the challenges faced by former felons.
The next section of this article will provide you with a list of specific companies that hire felons in Winston-Salem. If you see an interesting name, click on the link to go right to their section, or just continue reading to see all of them.
All job seekers should have a good resume ready. If you need some help in that area, then take a look at our excellent guide to making a resume for people with a record.
WestRock
WestRock is a company that manufactures corrugated packaging. It is the 2nd largest US packaging company and one of the world’s largest paper and packaging companies. They have over $15 billion in annual revenue and over 42,000 employees in 30 countries.
Some promising jobs:
- Material Handler
- Shipping Clerk
- Line Associate
- Maintenance Technician
- Warehouse Clerk
Champion
Champion is a brand of clothing that specializes in sportswear. It is owned by Hanesbrands that is headquartered in Winston-Salem. Champion manufactures and sells casual wear clothing (t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, leggings, shorts, jackets, undergarments), footwear (sandals, sneakers, socks), and accessories (bags, hats, collectibles). They have many positions available, especially in their retail outlets.
Some good opportunities for former felons:
- Sales Associate
- Assistant Store Manager
- Warehouse Specialist
- eCommerce specialist
- Stocker
Dewey’s Bakery
Dewey’s Bakery is a retail bakery that makes and sells fresh baked items including custom cakes, Moravian cookies, cheese straws, artisan cheese biscuits. They were founded in Winston-Salem in 1930. Dewey’s classic Moravian Cookies are known as “the world’s thinnest cookie,” and were selected by O: The Oprah Magazine to be featured on the “O List.”
Some solid jobs for former felons:
- Celebration Specialist
- Cake Decorator
- Machine Operator
- Mixer
- Accounting Receivable Specialist
K and W Cafeterias
K&W Cafeterias Inc. is a chain of cafeteria-style restaurants located in the southeastern US. They serve traditional Southern favorites including fried chicken, turnip greens, fried okra, and homemade desserts. Check them out for some good restaurant-related positions.
Great jobs for former felons:
- Assistant manager
- Cashier
- Cook
- Kitchen staff
- Server
R. J. Reynolds
A major historical employer in NC, is the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR). They are a tobacco manufacturing company headquartered in Winston-Salem at the RJR Plaza Building. Founded in 1875, it is the second-largest tobacco company in the US. The RJR brand includes Camel, Newport, Doral, Eclipse, Kent and Pall Mall.
Promising jobs for former felons:
- Maintenance Technician
- Production Operator
- Buyer Assistant
- Warehouse
- Driver
Lyndon Steel
Lyndon Steel Company, LLC was founded in 1977 and is one of the largest structural steel fabricators in the US, producing 50,000 tons of fabricated steel annually. They work on projects in all forty-eight of the continental states and offer a wide range of steel fabrication services.
Some great opportunities, for former felons:
- General Labor
- Purchasing
- Steel Welder
- Steel Fitter
- Maintenance
IFB Solutions
IFB Solutions is a company focused on providing products and services for and in support of people who are blind or visually impaired. They provide a wide variety of solutions including eyewear and lab services, eyewear manufacturing, Community Low Vision Centers, vision challenged workforce services, Base Supply Centers, Tailored Logistics Support and Pinnacle Mercantile. IFB Solutions is also a huge job provider for the visually challenged.
Promising jobs for former felons:
- Customer Service
- Machine Operator
- Assembler Packer
- Material Coordinator
- Support Agent
Krispy Kreme
The well known doughnut brand Krispy Kreme was started in Winston-Salem. Krispy Kreme, Inc. (previously Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.) is now a multinational doughnut company and coffeehouse chain with over $500 million in annual revenue. If you love doughnuts, then this is the place to check out.
Some good job opportunities for former felons:
- Team Member
- Donut Maker
- Doughnut Delivery Driver
- Customer Support
- Desktop Support Engineer
Ashley Furniture
Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. is a major home furnishings manufacturer and retailer. They sell home furnishings and accessories available through independent furniture dealers and more than 700 Ashley Furniture HomeStore retail furniture stores, which are independently owned and operated by licensees in the US, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Central America, and Japan.
Great entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Manufacturing Associate
- Warehouse Associate
- Assembler
- Sales
- Truck Driver
Goodwill
Goodwill Industries International Inc. (known as Goodwill), is a nonprofit organization that provides job training, employment placement services, and other community-based programs for people who have barriers to their employment. They are funded by over 3,200 retail thrift stores which operate as independent nonprofits, and generated a total of $6.1 billion in revenue (2015). Over $5 billion of that was spent on charitable services.
Promising jobs for former felons:
- Cashier
- Retail Sales – Donations
- Warehouse Sorter
- Recycle Associate
- Assistant Store Manager
Trucking jobs for felons in Winston-Salem
Driving a truck for a living is a good deal for anyone that likes to travel and see the country. The trucking industry is known for giving justice-involved people jobs, and even provide training. Truck drivers are in demand, and there are many opportunities available.
For good trucking jobs for felons in Winston-Salem, here are some companies to look at:
- Grand Slam Trucking LLC
- TransAm Trucking, Inc.
- Ashland Trucking Company
- Oakley Trucking
- Live Trucking
Warehouse jobs for felons in Winston-Salem
One thing every company has to do is store their overstock. This creates a huge industry for warehouse companies and warehouse workers. Most companies of any size have warehouse positions. If you are looking for some good opportunities, then you should check out warehouse jobs for felons in Winston-Salem.
Here are some warehouse businesses to look at for jobs in Winston-Salem:
- Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
- Bunzl Distribution NA
- Charles Grey
- TriMark USA
- Town Tasks
Temp agency jobs for felons in Winston-Salem
Looking for a job can be very time-consuming and tedious. Staffing agencies are a great place to go if you want to cut your job search efforts down. Check out this list of temp and staffing agencies below for temp agency jobs for felons in Winston-Salem.
Here are some of the better agencies in the area:
- Key Resource Group, LLC
- StaffWinston-Salem, LLC
- SPS Temporaries Inc.
- Career Start Staffing
- Winston-Salem Employment and Training Center (BETC)
Second chance and job training programs for felons in Winston-Salem
North Carolina does have a Ban the Box law that prohibits state agencies from asking jobseekers about their criminal history during the initial stages of an employment decision. Employers can’t include questions about criminal records on job applications.
Going through the justice system is tough, and not just for finding jobs. If you need some additional help, review our list of second chance and job training programs for felons in Winston-Salem and give them a try.
Resources for former felons in Winston-Salem:
- MenTouring Our Brothers
- Mission: MenTouring Our Brothers, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization committed to preventing young minority males from entering the juvenile and criminal justice systems and supporting those who are transitioning from the systems by equipping and empowering them through “mentouring” relationships, educational and enrichment programs, and employment.
- Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Clothing and Household, Education, Family, Housing, Legal, Mental Health
- Durham Local Reentry Council
- Mission: The Durham Local Reentry Council’s mission is to demonstrate a holistic and systematic approach that seeks to reduce the likelihood of additional criminal behavior by providing unwavering community support for justice involved citizens.
- Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Education, Housing, Legal, Medical, Mental Health
- Campaign4Change
- Mission: Our mission is to equip economically disadvantage people in the community to dream big, strive for excellence in school and life, demonstrate strong character, and exemplify their highest potential.
- Services offered: Education, Mental Health
- Benevolence Farm
- Mission: Benevolence Farm seeks to cultivate leadership, promote sustainable livelihoods, and reap structural change with individuals impacted by the criminal justice system in North Carolina.
- Services offered: Clothing and Household, Education, Food, Housing, Medical
- Exodus Homes
- Mission: Exodus Homes is a faith-based United Way agency, offering transitional to long term supportive housing for homeless recovering people returning to our community from treatment programs and prison. Exodus Homes has a comprehensive array of services to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our residents. Exodus Homes currently has 63 beds with 8 program locations.
- Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Education, Medical, Mental Health
