What Applicants Can Expect From a FedEx Background Check

You cannot work at the company without first passing a FedEx background screening process. This is true for all positions in the company, from warehouse workers to corporate positions. It is a mandatory part of the process if an applicant wishes to be a serious candidate for the job. Some examples of FedEx job roles where applicants will undergo vetting include:

• Package handler
• Maintenance Technician
• Operations managers
• Warehouse worker
• Forklift operator
• Retail FedEx positions
• Corporate job roles, such as customer support, accounting, and logistics
• Pilots and truck drivers

No. If you decline to comply with the FedEx background check requirements, your application process will end, and you will not get the job. You must always give your written consent to a background check; the company cannot access your information without such consent. As such, FedEx cannot force you to undergo a background check. However, it is within their rights to decline to hire you if you will not allow them to screen your background. FedEx requires the check for all job roles.

Yes, FedEx has been known to hire felons in the past and currently. However, that does not mean all felons can get a job with the company. Like all businesses, FedEx wants to protect itself from negligent hiring lawsuits. The company might be negligent if it hires a felon who goes on to re-offend on company time and harms an employee or a member of the public. FedEx evaluates criminal records to understand the nature and severity of past criminal convictions and how they may relate to the job.

FedEx is an equal opportunity employer, and, like all businesses, must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regulations. A felony record is not an immediate barrier to employment. Felons are more likely to receive a job offer if the conviction is old, non-violent, or if the applicant shows serious efforts at rehabilitation. However, every individual application is different.

What the FedEx background check includes may vary depending on the position. However, every applicant must undergo criminal background checks regardless of the position sought. Again, this check aims to identify red flags in the form of recent or very serious criminal convictions. A pattern of convictions, especially with recent crimes, may make a candidate too risky to hire. FedEx does not disclose its specific criteria or what it looks for when evaluating a criminal history background check.

FedEx employs many people as warehouse package handlers, but they also hire a large number of transportation workers. These roles include local delivery drivers, long-haul trucking drivers, and even cargo aircraft pilots. These positions face additional screening requirements as imposed by the US Department of Transportation and, where applicable, the Federal Aviation Administration. Driving history checks and drug testing are typical for this position with FedEx to ensure safety and dependability out on the road. For pilots, a medical exam and professional license verification is also necessary.

A drug test may also be required for warehouse jobs, though it seems to depend on the location. If you are applying for a driving job that involves company vehicles, you should expect more thorough checks. Credit checks usually aren’t a part of the FedEx hiring process, but it may use them for corporate roles involving financial processes.

Online sources and social media posts differ on how far back FedEx considers criminal history. The company itself does not disclose this information publicly. Some sources report five years, while others say ten years. Some states stipulate, by law, how long criminal convictions can remain relevant to a company’s hiring processes. Such states may require another number, such as a 7-year lookback period limitation.

However, outside those states, the FCRA does not limit how long conviction information can appear on a background check. The EEOC says that employers should consider the amount of time that has elapsed since the conviction occurred and the applicant completed their sentence. Therefore, even if older convictions appear, they may not have as much weight as a more recent crime. Applicants should understand what appears in their background report before applying.

How long does the FedEx background check take? Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to that question. Some people report having their checks completed within 24 hours. Others say it can take several business days or even a week. Many factors influence how long it takes to complete a background check. FedEx relies on a third-party screening partner to provide a hiring manager with the necessary information to review. Delays at courts or at the county and state levels could make background checks take longer. A complex background report may also take more time to undergo evaluation. You will receive automated emails from FedEx with an update on your background check status when it is completed.