Walgreens is the second-largest retail pharmacy chain in the United States, with over 9,000 stores and more than 225,000 employees.
If you’re wondering, does Walgreens hire felons to work at their retail stores and distribution centers? Keep reading because we’ve got the answers you need.
In this Walgreens hiring guide, we’ll go over Walgreens hiring policy for felons and tell you what to expect during the hiring process.
Does Walgreens Hire Felons?
Walgreens will hire felons for some entry-level positions on a case-by-case basis. Walgreens’ hiring decision will depend on several factors, including the position applied for, the nature of the felony committed, the length of time since the felony, and your recent conduct and employment record.
Walgreens has hired people with felonies in the past, so you’ve got a chance of being hired if you apply for a job.
Entry-level opportunities felons can apply for include customer service associate, general warehouse associate, and pharmacy technician trainee.
Does Walgreens Distribution Hire Felons?
Yes, Walgreens distribution will hire felons as distribution center workers on a case-by-case basis. You’ll have a better chance of securing employment if you apply for a general warehouse associate position.
Entry-level positions like this are the best way for a felon to get a foot in the door. Your felony will be evaluated for the position you’ve applied for, and while you may be eligible for an entry-level position, your felony could be disqualifying if you apply for a more senior role.
Is Walgreens a Second-Chance Employer?
Walgreens is owned by the global pharmaceutical company, Walgreens Boots Alliance. Walgreens Boots Alliance is a member of the Second Chance Business Coalition, which is an organization committed to helping felons get a fresh start by expanding second-chance hiring practices among private sector employers.
Second-chance employers aim to make their hiring process more felon-friendly by removing some of the common barriers former offenders face.
The steps they take to be more inclusive include removing the criminal offense questions from job applications, waiting until after a job offer has been made before they run a background check, and carrying out a case-by-case assessment of a candidate’s background.
Does Walgreens Do Background Checks?
Yes, all candidates have to pass a background check during the Walgreens hiring process. Walgreens will run a background check later in the hiring process when a conditional job offer has been made.
Walgreens will also run a background check on employees who apply for a job in another department or seek promotion.
So that’s an important point to keep in mind if you’re hoping to advance with the company in the future. Some employees with felony backgrounds have been rejected for promotion because of the second background report.
While an identity and criminal background check will always be carried out, other checks may be required depending on the position you’ve applied for. These checks can include:
- Employment history verification
- Verifying education and qualifications
- Professional license verification
- Driving record check
- Credit report
Walgreens uses an outside agency to carry out background checks, and the background check will go back at least seven years.
In some states, employers have to comply with background check limits, so older felonies won’t stand in your way.
The following states don’t allow employment background checks to look at criminal records older than seven years:
- California
- Colorado
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- Texas
- Washington
Depending on the state, the seven-year period will start from the date of disposition; in others, the starting point is the completion of your sentence (release from prison or end of probation).
Background checks at Walgreens usually take around one week, but can take longer if your background report needs to be reviewed by the human resources (HR) department. If you haven’t heard anything after two weeks, you should call to follow up.
If you’re not sure what offenses will appear on your record when an employer runs your background check, you can run a background check on yourself at any of the background check agencies.
You might be able to clean up your background report in the future by getting your felony expunged. Record expungement is available in several states for some types of felony and misdemeanor offenses once all sentencing conditions have been completed.
Does the Type Of Felony Matter At Walgreens?
The type of felony reported on your background check will definitely matter at Walgreens, and some felonies will be disqualifying.
When a felony is flagged on your background report, the HR department will need to take a closer look before they can approve your employment offer.
They’ll consider the type of offense, whether it was a violent felony or a non-violent felony, how much time has passed since you completed your sentence, and how relevant the offense is to the position you’ve applied for.
- Retailers like Walgreens tend to avoid hiring candidates who have a violent felony or sexual offense on their record.
- Anyone required to register as a sex offender is unlikely to be hired by Walgreens.
- Felonies for theft or fraud may also be a problem.
- Walgreens employees may have access to pharmaceutical drugs, so the company is unlikely to hire candidates with a felony for drug manufacture or distribution on their background report.
Does Walgreens hire convicted felons with a DUI? They may hire you for certain positions with a DUI, but they could ask you for evidence of rehabilitation from alcohol abuse.
Whatever your felony, you should still put in an application and see what happens. Walgreens is a second-chance employer, and they’ll carry out an individual assessment of your background.
Does Walgreens Hire Misdemeanors?
Yes, Walgreens will hire candidates with misdemeanors for some positions, but while misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, the type of misdemeanor will still matter.
A misdemeanor for theft, fraud, or drug-related offenses will be cause for concern, and other types of misdemeanor could also disqualify you.
Ultimately, the hiring decision will be made by HR when they get the results of your background check.
Make sure you check your email in case the background check company or Walgreens HR has reached out to ask for more information about your misdemeanor. If you’re asked for further details and fail to respond, they won’t be able to approve you.
Is There A Pre-Employment Drug Test At Walgreens?
Yes, if you’re offered a job, you’ll be asked to take a drug test. Some locations send you out to do a urine test, while others carry out mouth swab drug tests on-site.
The drug test is a standard 5-panel drug screen looking for:
- Opiates
- Cocaine
- Marijuana (even in legal states)
- Amphetamines & methamphetamine
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
Walgreens Hiring Process Overview
You’ll need to be at least 16 years old to work at a Walgreens store, and at least 18 years old to work in a Walgreens pharmacy or distribution center.
Walgreens Application
The hiring process starts with an online application, which is split into two parts. The first part takes about 20 minutes and asks for your personal details, education, qualifications, employment history, skills, and availability.
You can also upload a resume if you have one. The second part of the Walgreens application is an online personality assessment with a series of multiple-choice questions. Allow 15 minutes to complete the assessment.
We looked through the Walgreens online application for an entry-level customer service associate (CSA) position. The application for that role didn’t ask about criminal convictions.
This means your initial application will be assessed on your suitability for the role, and if your application looks good, the hiring manager will invite you to an interview.
Walgreens Interview
Dress in a smart outfit for your interview to make a good initial impression. Be friendly and show you’ve got a positive attitude.
If the hiring manager asks if you’ve got a criminal background, be honest. Briefly mention the nature of your felony and when it took place.
Acknowledge your past mistakes, then talk about the steps you’ve taken to re-enter society and follow a new lifestyle.
Should you mention your felony if you aren’t asked about your background? Honesty is always the best policy, and if your felony is going to be revealed when Walgreens receives your background report, then it’s better to bring it up yourself.
Your interview is also an opportunity for you to provide the hiring manager with your character references.
If you impress the hiring manager at your interview, you may be offered a job. The job offer will be conditional on the results of your background check and drug test.
When you receive a conditional job offer, you’ll also be sent instructions so you can submit the necessary information and give consent for your background check.
Walgreens Hiring Guide Recap
As a second-chance employer, Walgreens hires felons for some positions. You’ll have a better chance of getting hired if you apply for a customer service associate or general warehouse associate position.
If you’re offered a job, you’ll need to pass a drug screen and a background check before you’re officially hired.
Walgreens will carry out an individualized assessment of your background and decide if your felony and its age are compatible with the position you’ve applied for. Good luck!