Amazon’s Hiring Practices: Criminal Record and Entry-Level Jobs

Many individuals are curious about Amazon's hiring policies concerning employees with criminal records. Specifically, a friend shared a misconception that Amazon rejects all applicants with any criminal history, regardless of the severity. However, it's essential to understand that Amazon's policies vary by job category and department. This article delves into the complexities of these policies, focusing on the cloud computing division, fulfillment centers, and entry-level roles.

Understanding Amazon's Polices

Amazon is a large corporation with diverse business lines, each with its own set of hiring policies. For instance, the cloud computing division must adhere to strict standards, such as SSAE16 SOC, ISO 27001, and PCI-DSS. These standards include a risk management component that requires criminal background checks, but merely having a record does not necessarily disqualify an applicant. The decision-making process is based on what level of past criminal behavior poses an unacceptable risk.

Cloud Computing Division

The cloud computing division is particularly stringent with its hiring practices, as it deals with sensitive data and security concerns. Third-party audits ensure compliance with these standards, and criminal background checks are a crucial part of the process. However, not all offenses will automatically disqualify an applicant. For instance, a parking ticket or a minor traffic offense would likely not be grounds for rejection, whereas more severe offenses would be more likely to pose a risk.

Fulfillment Centers

In terms of fulfilling orders and handling product parcels, the policies are even more restrictive. Applicants for these positions must undergo a thorough criminal background check, and the standards applied are very stringent to mitigate the perceived risk of theft. While it's reasonable to assume that minor offenses like parking tickets or small traffic violations would not be an issue, more serious offenses could result in disqualification.

Entry-Level Jobs and Call Centers

Entry-level jobs, particularly those in call centers, often have less stringent hiring requirements. During my time at an Amazon call center, I observed a diverse range of candidates, some of whom were visibly unorthodox in their appearance and behavior. While the call center eventually implemented a drug test, this was a later development.

Regarding criminal background checks, it's likely that the call center did not conduct them for all roles. However, upper-level positions might have more stringent requirements. At the entry level, Amazon is generally willing to take on individuals who have a pulse and can pass a basic computer literacy test, regardless of their background.

Conclusion

Amazon’s hiring policies vary significantly across different departments and job levels. While the cloud computing division and fulfillment centers have strict background check policies, entry-level roles may have more lenient requirements. It’s important to consider the specific job position when assessing Amazon's hiring criteria. Whether a criminal record disqualifies an applicant ultimately depends on the nature of the offense and the perceived risk to the company.

References

[1] SSAE16 SOC

[2] ISO 27001

[3] PCI-DSS