Yes. Rural King hires some people with felony convictions. Hiring decisions are made on a case-by-case basis after reviewing the background screening information.
The type of felony on your record will matter. Does Rural King hire felons with theft convictions? Possibly, but it depends on how old the conviction is. What about violent offenses? Again, the age of the offense will matter.
Does Rural King Have a Felony Hiring Policy?
The company isn’t known as a second-chance employer, and employee reports about the felony hiring policy are mixed.
A Rural King manager in Kentucky said the company hired people with nonviolent felonies.
Another employee in Ohio also said felons were hired. More recently, an employee said Rural King hired them even though their driving-related felony was only a few years old.
Rural King has stores across 17 states and hires for a range of jobs, from cashiers and stockers to truck drivers, warehouse staff, and firearms associates.
Someone applying to load freight in a distribution center isn’t being considered for the same job as someone selling firearms.
Does Rural King Run a Background Check?
Yes. Rural King runs criminal background checks as part of its hiring process. The lookback period varies across locations.
Background-check rules vary by state. Some states limit how far a background check can go or don’t allow the use of older convictions in employment decisions.
Besides a criminal records search, your background check will verify your identity and Social Security number, your employment history, and any qualifications required for the position.
If you applied for a driving job, your driving record will also be checked for accidents and traffic violations.
What Felonies Could Make It Harder to Get Hired?
Rural King hasn’t published a list of convictions that disqualify applicants, but a conviction with a close connection to the job is likely to cause problems.
Theft and Fraud – A conviction for theft can be disqualifying for retail work where employees are responsible for merchandise and handling cash.
Driving Offenses and DUI – Rural King has its own transportation operation and hires CDL drivers. Background checks for drivers will look for DUI convictions, and the driving record check will look for preventable accidents and traffic violations.
Violent or Recent Felonies – Violent and recent felonies are often an issue for retail work.
It’s still worth applying for a job if you meet the hiring criteria instead of assuming the answer will be no.
Does Rural King Hire Felons With Nonviolent Charges?
Yes, Rural King does hire some people with nonviolent felony convictions. Employee reports say nonviolent felons have been hired in the past.
Hiring isn’t guaranteed, though, and theft and DUI felonies can still cause problems, even though they aren’t violent crimes.
Can You Work in Rural King’s Firearms Department With a Felony?
Rural King sells firearms and ammunition and hires employees specifically to work in its firearms departments.
Federal law prohibits people convicted of felonies from possessing or having control over firearms or ammunition.
A federally licensed firearms dealer can’t have an employee who is legally prohibited from possessing firearms handling them as part of the job.
So if your conviction makes you a prohibited person under federal firearms law, a Rural King Firearms Associate job isn’t a realistic option.
Unless you’ve had your firearms rights restored, you should apply for other positions.
What Rural King Jobs Could Be Good Options With a Felony?
Entry-level and manual jobs are a good place to start; some options include:
- Stocking and replenishment
- Receiving
- Outside recovery
- Maintenance
- Warehouse work
- Distribution-center puller and stacker jobs
- Tractor assembly and parts work
- Cashier and other store positions
Does Rural King Drug Test?
Rural King does drug test applicants, but the reports vary by job and location. Some recent store hires say they weren’t tested.
Distribution center workers report that testing is required for employees operating forklifts or other equipment.
CDL drivers have to pass a DOT drug test (urine sample). For an ordinary cashier or stocking position, don’t assume there will be a drug test, but don’t assume there won’t be one either.
When a pre-employment drug test is required, the test includes a screen for THC.
Should You Apply to Rural King With a Felony?
Yes, there’s enough evidence of Rural King hiring people with felony convictions that it’s worth making an application. But be sensible about the type of job you apply for.
A felony related to driving will matter much more for a CDL job than a warehouse job. Theft could cause problems in a cash-handling position.
Federal firearms restrictions will rule out jobs where you would need to handle guns or ammunition.
Rural King runs a background check, so be accurate when you’re asked about your record.
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Rural King Felony Hiring FAQs
Does Rural King Hire People With Theft Felonies?
Possibly. Theft convictions can be a problem at Rural King, which isn’t surprising for a retail position.
Older convictions may not show up on the background report and may be less of a concern for some warehouse positions.
How Far Back Does Rural King’s Background Check Go?
Rural King doesn’t provide any information about their standard lookback period for criminal convictions. However, some employees report that a 7-year lookback period was used for their background checks.
Can a Felon Work Around Guns at Rural King?
Not if the person is legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Federal law bars people with felony convictions from possessing firearms.
That makes Rural King jobs requiring employees to handle guns unsuitable for those applicants. Firearms restrictions don’t mean you can’t work in other departments if Rural King wants to hire you.