After all the hassle you’ve been through with the legal system, now you face the hurdle of getting a job.
You know that won’t be easy.
If you have experience in working at an amusement park, you might consider applying for a position with Disney.
The question is whether or not Disney runs background checks.
Let’s look at this issue.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the following:
- Does Disney Hire Felons?
- Understanding the Disney Application Process
- What to Know About the Disney Background Check
- Does the Type of Felony Matter?
- Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
- What to Do if You Fail the Disney Background Check
Contents
Does Disney Hire Felons?
It depends on what source you consult as to whether or not Disney hires felons.
There is no policy for hiring felons indicated on the company website, so this remains a question at this point.
Disney keeps a low profile on all of its hiring policies and reveals little about this.
Some do suggest that it’s possible to find employment at Disney after a felony conviction.
So, let’s proceed here with the understanding that there are occasions when Disney does hire felons.
One particular instance in which you could land a job at Disney is having your record expunged if you are eligible.
This would be worth looking into if you intend to apply at Disney.
Understanding the Disney Application Process
The Walt Disney Company was founded in 1923 by the Disney Brothers with the goal of offering family-friendly entertainment.
Its current name, Disney, began in 1986, and the company employs more than 130,000 people worldwide.
Walt Disney World Resort, located in Orlando, Florida, employs more than 62,000 people, making it the nation’s largest single-site employer.
Interestingly, it’s also about a two-hour drive to Florida State prison.
Disney’s goal is to employ energetic and experienced cast members who will interact with visitors.
Most jobs at Disney that would likely be available to you would be entry-level positions dealing with such areas as:
- Park operations
- Attractions
- Custodial duties
- Merchandise
- Food service
The interview process at Disney theme parks varies according to the job position.
You can start the application process by searching for a job opening on the Disney website and creating an account.
Typically, the application process would begin with a phone screening.
If you do well in the phone interview, you will be scheduled for a face-to-face interview.
You will be required to take a personality test.
It would help to be knowledgeable about Disney and the company values.
They do have requirements that include being at least 18 years old and able to stand for at least three hours at a time.
It helps to have good interpersonal skills and be able to work with minimal supervision.
What to Know About the Disney Background Check
Of course, there is a background check. We have come to just expect that.
There is a question on the Disney application relating to convictions.
For this, Disney will request permission to run a background check.
The safety of their team members and employees is their top priority.
Disney uses background checks to protect vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.
The company works to protect children from unqualified, dishonest, and dangerous workers.
Disney relies on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and its guidelines to exclude you from certain positions depending on the background check.
If you fail the Disney background check, you’ll be notified of adverse action as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
The statute requires employers to give applicants notice before a hiring decision is made to reject them for a position.
It’s extremely important to answer all questions on the application regarding criminal history truthfully.
If you don’t, you will be turned down for a job at Disney.
A routine background check at Disney takes approximately one to two weeks.
If Disney deals with the background check in a manner similar to many large businesses, they would consider the severity of the crime and the amount of time that has passed since the conviction.
As mentioned above, you would have the best chance at getting a job at Disney by having your record expunged.
Does the Type of Felony Matter?
With such little public information, it’s difficult to know what felonies will make a difference in the Disney hiring process.
If things go according to typical procedures with other companies, you might expect that more serious crimes will likely eliminate you from consideration.
These would be violent crimes like murder or assault.
Sexual offenses would probably also prevent you from being hired there.
Because of the Disney philosophy of providing safe and fun experiences for guests, any crime against persons would leave you out.
Also, crimes involving fraud, theft, or other crimes reflecting a violation of trust would also likely keep you from being hired there.
Other than those or other similar crimes, you might hope that Disney would consider those on a case-by-case basis.
Of course, that is not known. But if the evidence is correct that some persons with a felony conviction have been hired, there might be an opportunity.
Once again, having your record expunged could prove to be a significant help.
Keep that in mind as you move forward in seeking employment with Disney.
Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
Of course you can. Just like a potential employer would do.
Doing a background check on yourself before applying at Disney will allow you to know exactly what will be discovered when Disney does their review.
If you have any questions, you can contact an attorney.
Take action and don’t risk a chance on the results.
Give yourself the best chance at success by being in the know regarding your criminal history, so you aren’t taken by surprise.
What to Do if You Fail the Disney Background Check
Remember that you might not pass the Disney background check.
Even after running your own check, Disney could still not hire you based on their results.
After all, they don’t hire all felons.
If you think there was a mistake, you can challenge those findings.
If you aren’t hired, the world won’t end. Just move on.
You can learn from your experience, and be ready for your next job application.
There are jobs available with other employers.
Look elsewhere and find a job that might suit you better. Don’t give up.
This may sound facetious, but you don’t have to wish upon a star to be successful.
There is an employer who will give you a chance. You just haven’t found that one yet.
It takes perseverance but also persistence.
Keep on looking until you find the one that will give you an opportunity.
So what do you think about this blog post about whether Disney runs background checks?
Have you or someone you know had Disney run a background check?
What was that like and what happened with it?
Please tell us in the comments below.
I’ve been through the Disney background check several times and they come up with the weirdest thing every time so my question is when You’re talking to a person from Disney over the phone and they tell you what they need which is usually the police report in the outcome of your court date either Nast what do you do with my information that they sent it to somewhere else and they are the people that decide whether you get the job or not so I asked who do you send it to he wouldn’t tell me why wouldn’t you tell me this is my personal information so does anybody know who they send the information to I don’t think they should be allowed to do that ???!!!!