Quick Answer

Yes, OK Foods hires people with felony convictions on an extremely accessible, high-volume case-by-case basis.

OK Foods is a major poultry processor based in Fort Smith, Arkansas, maintaining constant, urgent labor needs for production and industrial roles. Employment is highly accessible for floor labor, machine operator, and sanitation jobs, prioritizing physical stamina, reliable attendance, and adherence to food safety rules over past non-relevant convictions.

Entry-level Production Worker roles start around $16.00–$20.00 per hour plus shift differentials, with specialized Maintenance and Lead positions earning significantly higher industrial wages.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

🟢 FELON-FRIENDLY SCORE CARD: OK FOODS

1. About OK Foods

2. Hiring Policy for People with Felonies

3. Available Jobs

4. Background Check Process

5. Application Tips

6. Benefits and Compensation

7. Comprehensive FAQs

8. Similar Companies That Hire in Arkansas

🟢 FELON-FRIENDLY SCORE CARD: OK FOODS

✅ WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU APPLY (Eligibility Checklist)

This checklist is a mandatory gut-check for all applicants:

📃 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (Most Roles)

• Age: 18 years or older.

• Physical Ability: Ability to work full-time doing physically demanding, repetitive work in a cold, loud setting.

• Screening: Willingness to pass a basic background check and drug screen.

  
  

⚠️ REALISM CHECK: THE PROCESSING FLOOR ⚠️

Poultry processing jobs pay well and are highly accessible because the work is physically tough, cold, and repetitive. You will be dealing with raw chicken and operating at high speed. The primary requirement is showing up every day, on time, and doing the demanding work for the full shift. Your commitment to reliability and physical endurance is the most valuable asset you possess here.

1. About OK Foods

OK Foods is a major poultry processing company, with extensive operations, including its corporate headquarters, centered in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and facilities throughout the state and region. They handle all stages of chicken production, from feed milling and growing operations to final processing and packaging.

The industrial environment runs around the clock (24/7) and operates at high volume. The food processing industry nationwide faces severe labor shortages, which drives OK Foods' highly accessible hiring practices for hourly plant roles.

2. Hiring Policy for People with Felonies

OK Foods maintains a WIDELY accessible hiring policy for hourly plant roles, prioritizing physical capability and reliable attendance. They follow the principle of "individualized assessment" required by the EEOC, meaning non-relevant felonies are routinely accepted.

What OK Foods Considers

• Physical Capability: The #1 factor. Can you stand for 8–10 hours doing physically demanding, repetitive work?

  
  

• Attendance/Reliability: Production lines cannot stop. Candidates who demonstrate stability since their conviction are highly preferred.

  
  

• Violence: While older violent convictions are often accepted, a recent, severe violent felony (within the last year or two) may require special approval from plant management.

  
  

• Theft/Fraud: Generally accepted for production, sanitation, and labor roles, as these jobs are not typically customer-facing or high-level financial positions.

  
  

• Food Safety: Must be willing to follow strict USDA and food safety protocols (this is trained).

  
  

3. Available Jobs

Production and Plant Roles (Hourly Pay)

Career Path Example: Operations

• Production Line Worker

• Machine Operator

• Line Lead

• Quality Control Technician

• Production Supervisor (Salaried $50K+)

4. Background Check Process

OK Foods utilizes a fast, often flexible background check focused primarily on immediate hire needs.

1. Direct Application: Often encourages in-person application at the plant HR office or quick online submission.

2. Immediate Interview: Interviews are often conducted the same day or the next day due to urgent staffing needs.

3. Conditional Offer: Contingent upon background and drug screen clearance.

4. Screening: Check duration varies, but the company’s need for workers often outweighs non-relevant history.

5. Drug Screening: Mandatory test is common for industrial safety.

6. Final Decision: Hiring is usually immediate if the candidate shows up ready to work and clears initial screens.

   
   

5. Application Tips

• Target the Toughest Shifts: Apply immediately for Sanitation (Night Shift) or weekend shifts. The difficulty of the work significantly reduces competition and often includes a pay differential.

• Emphasize Physical Endurance: In the interview, stress your ability to handle cold temperatures, repetitive work, and standing for an entire shift.

• Be Reliable: Punctuality is paramount. Highlight any history of long-term, stable employment since your conviction.

• Acquire Food Safety: Obtain an Arkansas Food Handler's Card before applying to show your immediate commitment to food safety standards.

• Apply In-Person: Visiting the local plant HR office in Fort Smith or other facility locations shows serious commitment and often speeds up the process.

6. Benefits and Compensation

OK Foods offers robust industrial benefits, including Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance, 401(k) with company match, Life Insurance, and Paid Time Off (PTO). Shift differentials and production bonuses frequently boost the hourly wage.

7. Comprehensive FAQs

Q: Will an old felony disqualify me from working in the plant?

A: No. If the felony is non-violent and occurred more than 5 years ago, it is highly unlikely to be a barrier, provided you are reliable and physically capable.

Q: Does OK Foods drug test new hires?

A: Yes, a mandatory pre-employment drug screen is standard due to safety regulations in a facility with heavy machinery.

Q: What are the work conditions like inside the processing plant?

A: The environment is typically cold (around 40°F to control bacterial growth), wet (due to continuous washing), loud, and requires extensive use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Q: Is the Production Line Worker job hard?

A: Yes, it is physically demanding. You will be standing in one spot for the duration of the shift, performing repetitive tasks (cutting, trimming, hanging product) at a rapid pace.

Q: What is the career path for a Production Worker?

A: The company offers a clear path: Production Worker Machine Operator Line Lead Shift Supervisor. Supervisors earn a stable salary ($50,000+).

Q: Will a fraud or theft conviction prevent me from being hired?

A: If the integrity crime is older (7+ years) and you commit to a non-fiduciary role (like the Production Line), it is generally manageable. Recent theft is always the biggest risk, even in high-demand roles.

Q: Does OK Foods offer CDL driving jobs?

A: Yes, they hire CDL drivers for "live haul" (transporting chickens from farms) and finished product logistics. These roles require a clean DOT record and MVR.

Q: How fast is the hiring process?

A: Since labor needs are urgent, the entire process from application to hire can often be completed in less than one week if you pass the initial screenings.

Q: Do I need a high school diploma or experience?

A: No. A high school diploma or GED is not strictly required for most hourly production roles, and all necessary training is provided on the job.

Q: Are there opportunities for overtime?

A: Yes, overtime is frequent and often mandatory during peak production times, significantly increasing your take-down pay.

8. Similar Companies That Hire in Arkansas

9. Final Thoughts and Strategy Summary

OK Foods is an excellent choice for individuals in Arkansas who need immediate, stable employment with high earning potential through overtime, regardless of past non-violent convictions.

Strategy for Success:

1. Be Ready for Hard Work: Your physical stamina and commitment to the 8–12 hour industrial shifts are your key selling points.

2. Focus on Reliability: Maintain perfect attendance. This is the fastest way to get noticed and promoted into a supervisory role.

3. Go Industrial: Apply directly for the Production Line or Sanitation shifts, as these have the highest need and the lowest barrier to entry.