FedEx Background Check

If you’re applying to work at FedEx and you’ve got a criminal record, you’ll obviously want to know what to expect with the FedEx background check.

FedEx employs hundreds of thousands of workers over several different divisions—FedEx Ground, FedEx Express, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Office. Every FedEx division carries out a background check on every job applicant.

In addition to those divisions, FedEx Ground contracts out its package delivery operation, so if you apply for a package delivery job with FedEx Ground, you’ll actually be working for an independent contractor, rather than FedEx.

You’ll still have to pass a background check, but each contractor will have their own interview processes and background check timeline.

In this article, we’ll cover all of the information you need to know about the FedEx background check.

How Does FedEx Background Check Warehouse Workers?

When you apply for a job at a FedEx warehouse, you’ll need to undergo a standard background check once you’ve been through your interview. The background check will verify the information you provided during your application and look for any criminal offenses on your record. For jobs other than entry-level positions, your education record may be checked and they could run your credit history too.

You’ll need to consent to the background check and provide some basic information along with a form of identification like a driver’s license or passport, and your social security number.

If your interview was a phone interview, you’ll get an email asking you to consent to the background check and provide the relevant information. Keep an eye on your email so you don’t miss the background check invited. Look in your junk folder if you haven’t received the email after a couple of days.

If you went to a face-to-face interview, you’ll complete the paperwork for the background check right after your interview.

If you’re asked to go through a background check, it means that your interview went well and, based on the information you’ve given them, FedEx wants to hire you.

As long as nothing unexpected shows up on your background report, it should only be a few days before you hear from the company about your start date.

When you have your interview, if your interviewer doesn’t ask about your criminal background, you should volunteer the information so you have a chance to discuss the offense and your record since then.

How Do FedEx Background Check Drivers?

When you apply for a non-CDL driving job, you’ll go through the standard background check after you’ve successfully completed the interview stage.

As well as looking at your criminal record and verifying your employment history, your driving record will be checked for DUIs, moving violations, and other traffic offenses.

If you’re applying for a driving job that requires a commercial driver’s license, FedEx or the FedEx Ground contractor will also check with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Clearinghouse for any driving offenses or failed drug or alcohol tests on your record.

Because the driver background check is more thorough, it often takes a little longer to hear from the company about your start date. Waits of 2-3 weeks aren’t uncommon.

Is There A Background Check For FedEx Office?

At FedEx Office, you’ll be asked to consent to a background check after your interview. The background report will verify your personal information and your education and employment history, and look for any criminal offenses on your record. The background check may also run a credit report because you’ll be dealing with customer payments.

What Will the FedEx Background Check Look At?

FedEx wants to hire the staff they can trust. The company is dedicated to providing a safe working environment for all employees, so if you have a history that includes violence or sexual offences, you’re unlikely to pass the background check.

Theft and fraud are other potential red flags and depending on the type of theft and the amounts involved, this type of offense could disqualify you. The company handles billions of dollars worth of goods each year and they do everything they can to prevent losses.

If you apply for a driving job or a forklift operator position, your driving record will be checked and, if the job requires a CDL, your background report will include a check of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database for any offenses related to your CDL.

Is There A Drug Test At FedEx?

For most positions at FedEx Ground, FedEx Express, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Office, you’ll need to pass a FedEzx pre-employment drug test.

But if the job you’re applying for is as a package handler at FedEx Ground, then you won’t need to take a drug test.

FedEx screens a urine sample for the presence of the most commonly abused illegal drugs, which are opiates, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, and phencyclidine (PCP).

Once hired, all employees at FedEx Ground, FedEx Express, and FedEx Freight are subject to random drug tests, although in practice random drug tests for FedEx Ground package handlers are rare.

FedEx follows Department of Transportation rules regarding random drug tests for CDL drivers.

At FedEx Office, there are no random drug tests.

Another type of drug test you may need to take is a reasonable cause drug test if you appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

And post-accident drug testing is carried out if you’ve been involved in an accident that causes an injury to yourself or another person, or an incident that damages company property.

Does FedEx Hire Applicants With Misdemeanors?

Having a misdemeanor on your record may be an issue if it’s related to theft or assault. For driving jobs, any recent misdemeanor driving offenses will make it unlikely that you will be hired.

The older your misdemeanor is, the better your chance of getting hired.

Background checks are regulated at the federal level by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) which covers all types of consumer reports, including employment background checks. Under the FCRA, background checks can report on your misdemeanors going back 7 years.

Does FedEx Hire Felons?

Yes, they do. Although having certain types of felony offenses on your record will mean that they won’t hire you.

If you’re applying for a driving job, your felony will need to be at least 10 years old. For other jobs, FedEx will be unlikely to hire you if you have a felony for theft or crimes involving violence.

FedEx looks at applications on a case-by-case basis and they will consider the nature of your offense, your record since you completed your sentence, and how long ago the offense occurred when they make their decision.

Usually, as long as the offense isn’t related to the type of work you want to do, you’ll have a good chance of getting hired, especially if you’re applying to work as a package handler which is the easiest job to get at FedEx Ground.

Unless your state has placed a limit on the reporting of felony convictions, there is no limit on how far back a felony can be reported.

The following states have a 7-year limit on reporting felony convictions:

• California
• Colorado
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Montana
• Nevado
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• New York
• Texas
• Washington

In some states, the limitation runs from the date of your conviction, in others, it’s from the date you completed your sentence.

Frequent Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Disqualifies You From Working For FedEx?

For all positions at FedEx, having any offenses involving violence or theft will probably disqualify you. If you’re applying for a driving job, you’ll need a clean driving record without any DUIs. Felonies within the last 10 years will also disqualify you from a driving position.

How Long Does FedEx Background Check Take?

It depends on the type of job you’re applying for. For most positions, the background check will take between 2 to 5 business days. The background check for CDL driving jobs could take longer because more extensive checks need to be done on your driving record and your file at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Clearinghouse.

How Far Back Does FedEx Ground Go On A Background Check?

Background checks go back 7 years for everything except felonies. The 7-year rule is a federal regulation under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which regulates all consumer reports, including employment background checks.

Some states also impose a 7-year limit on felony background check reporting. If you have a felony and live in a state with the restriction, your FedEx background check will go back 7 years, otherwise, the felony check has no time limit.

Does FedEx Do 2 Background Checks?

FedEx carries out one background check during the hiring process. This is a standard background check which looks at your employment and criminal history. If you’re applying for a driving job, the background check will also look at your Motor Vehicle Report, which will record any driving offenses you’ve committed.

Summary

When you apply for any job at FedEx, you have to pass a background check. Some types of jobs require more thorough background reports than others, but in all cases, your identity, social security number, and criminal record going back at least 7 years will be checked.

Drivers will need to pass the driving record check, and CDL holders will need to be cleared through their FMCSA Clearinghouse report.

In addition to the background check, most applicants will also need to pass a 5-panel drug screen for opiates, cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines, methamphetamine, and phencyclidine (PCP).

Having a criminal record isn’t an automatic disqualification with FedEx, as they will consider each applicant on an individual basis. Just be honest when you give them information about your past.