Finding and keeping a job is a key component of the rehabilitation process for any person with a criminal record, especially sex offenders. And while many believe these individuals deserve to be given a second chance, there are those who maintain that sex offenders should not be allowed any access to society or employment opportunities.
Regardless of your opinion on the matter, it’s undeniable that finding jobs for sex offenders can be extremely difficult and oftentimes impossible. This article will explore various employment options available for these individuals as well as potential challenges they may face after being released from prison.
The Impact of a Sex Offense on Job Opportunities
Studies show that criminals who find a job right after being released from prison have lower chances of ending up behind bars. And with the latest data showing there are roughly 2.3 million prisoners in the US, it’s safe to say that resocialization may be the most practical option for sex offenders after all.
Yet the consequences of being convicted of a sex crime can be devastating, especially when it comes to future career prospects. And this applies equally to both sex offenders who are required to register with the authorities and those that have completed their registration obligations.
First off, most companies conduct a thorough investigation of an applicant’s records, and some even hire criminal background check companies as an additional precaution. In other words, it’s likely that an applicant with a clean record will be prioritized, so in a way, sex offenders are doomed to fail from the very beginning.
Second, even though in states like California, where sex offender laws are very strict, employers are not prohibited from hiring an applicant who willingly discloses this information, they can still refuse to hire them. Not to mention that even if they do decide to hire a sex offender, other employees may feel uncomfortable working with such an individual.
And then there’s the issue of sex offender restrictions. Some jobs require unrestricted access to social media, others may demand frequent traveling or door-to-door service, and quite a lot of jobs have some form of interaction with minors.
How to Find Jobs for Sex Offenders
As you can see, in addition to the social stigma, many other factors influence a sex offender’s rehabilitation process. However, there are a few ways in which a sex offender can earn a decent wage and still feel like a productive member of society. The first step is to know where to look for. So start with:
- Industries That Don’t Work Around Minors
This way, if you’re on probation or parole, you will not be violating any of the rules, as many states prohibit sex offenders from working in places frequented by children. And don’t forget that if your employment status changes, no matter which sex offender tier you belong to, you must report the change to your probation officer or registration agency within three days.
- Jobs That Require No Customer Service or Contact With the Public
Jobs such as dishwashing, janitorial services, assembly line work, data entry clerk, and other similar positions can be especially suitable for sex offenders. This way, they’re still able to make a living while keeping their distance from minors and victims.
- Online or Remote Positions
Sex offenders can also consider taking on remote jobs that require no contact at all with customers. A few examples include freelance writing, web design, and virtual assistant roles, which are often available from the comfort of their own home.
- Companies With a History of Hiring Sex Offenders
Even though companies typically do not publicly declare that they hire sex offenders, many actually do. And the best way to learn which companies practice this is to connect with other sex offenders. Networking and talking to people who are in a similar situation can be very rewarding, as they may have valuable advice and contacts that can help you land an opportunity.
- Self-Employment
Last but not least, one way for a sex offender to gain financial freedom is to become self-employed. This may include anything from web designing and content writing to landscaping and even online tutoring.
List of Suitable Jobs for Sex Offenders
Even though it may take some time to find a job, there are plenty of options out there. Here are some of the jobs that could be suitable for sex offenders:
- Warehouse worker
- Construction worker
- Animal Attendant/Kennel Worker
- Elevator installer and repairer
- Data Entry Clerk
- Virtual Assistant
- Mechanic
- Truck Driver
- Landscape worker
- Machine minder
Last but not least, there are plenty of companies that offer jobs for sex offenders. Here’s a list of a few that have hired both felons and sex offenders:
- Aamco
- Anderson windows
- Apple Inc.
- Avis rent-a-car
- AT&T
- Bridgestone
- Best western
- Baskin-Robbins
- Canon
- Carrier Corporation
- Caterpillar Inc.
- Community education centers
- Dairy Queen
- Denny’s
- Duracell
- Fruit of the loam
- K-mart
- Miller brewing company
- IBM
- Shell Oil
- Motorola
- Trader Joes
- Us steel corporations
- Wendy’s
- Walgreens
- Sara lee
- Sears and Roebuck’s corp.
- Sony
- Xerox
The Bottom Line
There is no denying that being a convicted sex offender can be an extremely difficult situation to overcome. But with the right attitude and a bit of research, it’s still possible for such an individual to find meaningful employment opportunities and rebuild their life after prison. Hopefully, this guide has pointed you in the right direction in your endeavor to find industries that offer jobs for sex offenders.
