What Applicants Can Expect From a FedEx Background Check

You cannot work at the company without first passing the FedEx background check process. This rule applies to 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 worker 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 

Note that some positions, such as truck drivers, may require motor vehicle screening, including a driving record.

No. If you decline the background check, your application process will end, and you won’t be employed. Remember, you must always give your written consent to a background check. The company cannot access your information without such consent. FedEx cannot force you to submit to a background check. However, it is within their rights to decline to hire you if you refuse. FedEx requires the check for all positions.

Does that mean reaching the background check stage says you got the job? Not necessarily. Hiring managers may still decide to take adverse action based on your report. FedEx may revoke a conditional job offer if it discovers too many risk indicators.

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 employers, 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. Someone improperly screened may harm an employee or a member of the public. FedEx evaluates an applicant’s criminal record to manage these risks. Background checks offer information about the nature and severity of convictions. FedEx may determine how those convictions may relate to the job.

FedEx is an equal-opportunity employer. Like all companies, it must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and obey 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 or non-violent. Evidence of serious efforts at rehabilitation may also be a mitigating factor.

FedEx hiring policies regarding background checks may vary by job. However, every applicant goes through criminal background checks. This check aims to identify potential issues. Such warning signs usually involve recent and/or very serious criminal convictions. A pattern of convictions may also make a candidate too risky to hire. FedEx does not disclose its specific criteria for evaluating background check results. 

FedEx employs many people as warehouse package handlers and hires many transportation workers. These roles include local delivery drivers, long-haul drivers, and cargo aircraft pilots. These positions face additional screening requirements imposed by the US Department of Transportation. Where applicable, Federal Aviation Administration requirements also apply. Driving history checks and drug testing are typical for these positions. For pilots, a medical exam and professional license verification are also necessary.

A drug test may also be required for warehouse jobs. However, reports online vary about the application of these policies. Some areas may use drug tests while others don’t. A credit check usually isn’t a part of the FedEx hiring process. However, the company could use them for corporate roles involving financial processes.

Online sources and social media posts differ on how far back FedEx considers convictions. The company itself does not disclose this information publicly. Some sources report five years, while others say ten years. Some states regulate time limits on criminal conviction considerations. In such states, FedEx presumably follows the law in its considerations. These states may have different limitations, such as a 3, 5, or 7-year lookback period.

Beyond those states, the FCRA does not limit how long conviction information can appear on a background check. The EEOC prescribes that employers consider the time elapsed since the conviction occurred. The time since the applicant completed their sentence is also relevant. Even if older convictions appear on a report, they may not have as much weight as a recent crime. Applicants should understand what occurs in their background report before applying.

FedEx uses a background check company to provide a hiring manager with the necessary reports. Delays at courts or the county and state levels could make background checks take longer. A complex background report may also take more time to evaluate. As each step is completed, you will receive automated emails from FedEx with an update on your background check status.

Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to knowing the status of your FedEx background check. Some people report having their checks completed within 24 hours, while others say it can take several business days or up to a week. Many factors influence how long it takes to complete a background check. FedEx employees may use the FedEx Alert Line – a confidential reporting system that allows employees to report known or suspected law violations.

Review your own report today and prepare to apply with a better understanding of the process ahead.

FedEx must follow the rules of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) when doing a credit check and obtain an applicant’s written consent to the check. FedEx must also follow adverse action rules, advising applicants of their intention to regret an application due to background check findings. The company does not publicly share its procedures for maintaining compliance in this area.

Some locales have banned the box on job applications enquiring about felony convictions. Others have rules that require mandatory delays in the background check process. FedEx does not publicly disclose information about how it complies with these laws. The company allegedly did not follow local law in at least one case. In 2021, a job applicant sued FedEx for violating New York’s Fair Chance Act. The suit alleged that FedEx used a background check before making a conditional offer.

Both sides voluntarily dismissed the case after several months in court. No settlement announcement was made. Applicants should understand their rights under local laws when applying for jobs.