Ex-offender in Texas needs job search help

Felon in Texas need help finding jobs

Q: I am an ex-offender. I was released on parole June 2007. In July 2007 I went to work for a company as a warehouse worker. I worked my way up to warehouse manager and even relocated with the company when they moved from Ft Worth to east Texas. In January 2011 my mother passed, And due to family needs I needed to relocate back to Fort Worth Tx.

Knowing the difficulty it would be for me to find new employment I began to look for a job. After a while I found a job. The company on-line application asked if I had been convicted of a felony in the last seven years. Since it had been over 10 years since my conviction I answered no. T he next day I get a call from a temp service. They told me they did the hiring for MBM Food Dist. in Ft Worth TX and asked me to come in and interview with them. I did and they did a background check and said since my conviction are over 7 years old it would be no problem and sent me to an interview at MBM. I interviewed with the Asst Warehouse Manager. I was honest with him about my past and he said no problem. They said as long as I put my four weeks in through the temp company then they would hire me.

After four weeks they were very pleased with my work performance and started the hiring process. On their application it asked had I ever been convicted. I was honest. Went and passed the hair follicle test. Went through orientation and at their request provided a statement about my convictions. After waiting another three weeks they came to me and said my assignment had ended and escorted me off the property. Even the temp service couldn’t understand why. Because they said they could not have placed me at the company if I had not met the requirements the company had given them. So now I am unemployed and having a very hard time finding employment. I have alot of warehouse experience, but my experience seems to be getting overlooked.

The bad thing is I uprooted my life. My wife left a good job and we have put our house we are buying up for rent. In the four years since my release I have worked hard at one job until now. No parole problems. I bought a house, have a couple of credit cards and well, basically have been very blessed. I would have never left my job and moved back here to the metroplex if I hadn’t been sure this company MBM was going to hire me. By them going back on their word I am in a bind.

Do I have any legal recourse in this situation? Do you have any advice for me?

Thanks,

Robert

A: Hello Robert,

Unfortunately you do not have legal recourse. Companies usually leave themselves an out when hiring new employees. Often in the application, there is a paragraph that states that new employees can be released within a probationary period (typically 90 days,) without a reason being given.

You may be able to get job search help in your area.

Let me suggest a very underutilized resource that ex-offenders and felons can use to find jobs, One-stop Career Centers . Each state has a network of centers that offer a variety of free services that can get you ready for work and assist you in finding employment. In addition, these centers offer training programs that may prepare you for a career. Some services available are:

Career planning and counseling

Workshops (Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, and related topics.)

Computers with internet access and word processing

Daily access to thousands of job listings

Job-related magazines and local newspapers

Job postings and referrals

Printers, fax machines, phones, and copiers for job search use

There are counselors there whose function is helping citizens gain employment. Many of them have experience working with ex-offenders and felons looking for employment. There are four such centers in your area.

WorkForce Solutions for Tarrant County-Northside Workforce Center

2100 N Main St., Suite 100
Fort Worth, TX 76164-8572
817-626-5262

WorkForce Solutions for Tarrant County-Northside Workforce Centr

Workforce Solutions – Tarrant County – Westside Workforce Center

2100 N Main St., Suite 100
Fort Worth, TX 76164-8572
817-626-5262

Workforce Solutions – Tarrant County – Westside Workforce Center

WorkForce Solutions for Tarrant County – Eastside Workforce Center

4701 E Lancaster St.
Fort Worth, TX 76103-3835
817-531-7800

WorkForce Solutions for Tarrant County – Eastside Workforce Center

WorkForce Solutions for Tarrant County-Resource Connection Workforce Center

1400 Circle Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76119
817-531-5670

WorkForce Solutions for Tarrant County-Resource Connection Workforce Center

As stated before, there centers often have counselors with experience helping ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs

I hope this helps.

Are you an ex-offender who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: BelievePublications@comcast.net.