On this page, we’ll cover the following:

• About Staples
• Hiring Process
• Background Check?
• An Opportunity for Felons?
• Does the Type of Felony Matter?
• Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
• Steps to Take

 

About Staples

Staples is one of the largest office supply stores and was founded in Boston in 1986 by Tom Stemberg who owned a supermarket chain.

While searching unsuccessfully for a typewriter ribbon to replace his ribbon that had broken, he came upon the idea of starting a supermarket for office products.

His creation started the development of making office supplies more available and affordable.

Currently, there are more than 2,200 Staples stores in the world with 1,600 of those in the U.S., employing approximately 80,000 people.

Staples values collaboration, dedication, and hard work with a major focus on customer service.

Emphasizing customer service experience will increase your chances at being hired there.

Hiring Process

You must be at least 18 years old to work at Staples.

For felons, this is unlikely to be an issue.

The hiring process includes an application, a one-on-one interview, and a question-related job profile.

The application process will begin with creating an account on the Staples website or going to a store location to apply.

The job application at Staples is long and typically takes about an hour to complete.

You will have to provide such information as your name, address, email address, and Social Security Number.

The application will inquire about how much customer experience you have and your work history, especially in a retail setting or dealing with office products.

You will be asked about your availability and scheduling preferences.

Then you can upload a current resume and include education level along with two references who are not family members.

Staples will require an assessment with questions like whether or not you take it easy at work if you can, concerns about what others think of you, and if you are a thrill seeker.

There are many different positions available at Staples.

Most of these will be entry-level positions, including cashier, copy clerk, office supply associate, inventory clerk, and delivery driver.

If Staples is considering hiring you, you will be scheduled for an interview. You will be asked to consent to a background check.

If you refuse this, your chances for getting a job there will be gone.

It is important to be open and honest in responding to all questions, including those about your criminal history.

If you aren’t honest, this could be considered a crime for which you could end up back in prison.

Does Staples Run a Background Check?

Yes, there is a background check, just as you might expect.

During the application process, Staples will request permission to perform a pre-employment background check.

Not consenting to the background check will terminate the application.

Staples runs a background check to protect the company, its employees, and its customers.

Staples has no stated company policy regarding hiring felons.

This could mean that being hired for a position with a criminal conviction may be challenging.

However, a company such as Staples cannot simply refuse to hire you because of a felony conviction.

This would be discrimination.

If you are turned down, there must be a reason for doing so related to the position or if hiring you would affect safety within the company.

A background check at Staples may vary somewhat from one location to another.

We have information indicating that Staples will look over the most recent seven years of your history.

Of course, they will want to see if you have a felony conviction during that time.

The longer ago any criminal activity or conviction is, the better your chances at getting hired there.

An Opportunity for Felons?

Staples does not make it easy.

It will be a challenge to get a job there, but it won’t be impossible.

Staples may be willing to give you a chance to prove yourself after your release.

You will be considered for a job there, but Staples doesn’t hire all felons.

You will have to make a good impression in the interview on those making the hiring decisions at Staples.

It would make a difference to be enthusiastic about working for the company and demonstrate some knowledge of the company and its philosophy.

Let them know you are diligent and willing to work hard, taking care of customers and serving their needs.

Then, you might have a chance for a position at Staples.

Does the Type of Felony Matter?

The type of felony certainly makes a difference in being hired at Staples.

The more serious the felony is, the less likely it will be for you to qualify for a job there.

If you have a sexual offense, you will not be hired there.

That shows complete disregard for others’ rights, boundaries, and safety.

A conviction for a violent felony will likely also prevent you from getting a job with Staples.

The company doesn’t want anyone who doesn’t treat others with respect and decency.

Offenses related to theft and fraud will also decrease your chances here.

This is especially true because of the need to handle finances in so many positions at Staples.

In these cases, they will not trust you with money, credit information, or in handling valuable merchandise.

If you are applying for a position as a delivery driver for Staples, a driving-related offense or a DUI will take you out of the running for a job.

Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?

Yes, you can run a background check on yourself.

We recommend that you do exactly that.

Doing a background check on yourself before applying with Staples will tell you exactly what the company will see when they do their investigation.

You can contact an attorney if you have any questions.

Take action and don’t risk a job on the results.

Don’t take a chance because this is your future at stake.

Why wouldn’t you want to know what would show up in a background check?

The more you know, the better prepared you will be to deal with any questions that could come up in an interview.

This also means being honest with Staples about your past, especially your criminal record.

If you aren’t open, this would constitute fraud, which is a punishable offense that could land you back in prison.

If you are eligible, you could have your record expunged.

This would allow you to honestly state on an application that you don’t have any convictions on your record.

Steps to Take

There is a chance to get a job at Staples.

They may be willing to help you in reentering society, but remember that they won’t make it easy.

If you are open about your past and don’t have a serious violent or sexual offense, you have a chance to succeed here.

You might fail the background check or simply not be hired there for any other reason.

Learn from the experience.

It could make a difference in the future.

Take advantage of the opportunity and don’t let your past stop you. Only you can decide how important getting a job is.

No, it isn’t easy.

But don’t get discouraged.

Let Staples help you in reestablishing your future if you are willing to take a risk in applying there.

Don’t let yourself be defined by your mistakes.

Let your response to your mistakes define you, and control what you can in your future.

Live a new, honest life with your family and friends supporting you.

So what do you think about this blog post about whether or not Staples hires felons?

Have you or someone you know tried to get a job at Staples? What was that like and what happened? Please tell us in the comments below.