Hamrick's: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Hamrick's says its roots date back to 1945, when Oliver and Edna Hamrick bought a small general merchandise and grocery store and then began buying and selling close-out fabrics from area mills. The company describes itself as a family-owned and operated business, and its about page credits the founders' children, including CEO Barry Hamrick, with carrying the business forward.

Hamrick's is based in Gaffney, South Carolina, where its corporate office, distribution center, and wholesale center are located. The about page says the original Hamrick's store that Mrs. Hamrick ran for many years is still in Gaffney and now serves as a clearance center. Wikipedia lists stores in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, and the company's job board lists store locations in cities such as Asheville, Greenville, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Raleigh, Roanoke, and Sevierville.

The stores sell brand-name apparel for women, men, and kids, along with shoes, accessories, home goods, and pet items, and an in-house design group creates exclusive apparel under private labels that include Nikki, Southern Lady, Links, N Touch, and Seven Forty Two. The company says its buyers visit New York, Las Vegas, and Atlanta every month. Its job board lists store roles such as cashier, plus corporate, distribution, wholesale and e-commerce, and pressing positions in Gaffney, including a distribution truck driver.

Company culture and employee programs:

Hamrick's job postings describe a promote-from-within philosophy, flexible schedules, Sundays off, an employee discount, and a comprehensive benefit package for store roles. Its distribution truck driver posting lists benefits that include a 401(k), health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, holiday pay, and an employee assistance program. These are the company's own descriptions, and pay, schedules, and benefits may vary by role, location, and whether a job is full-time, part-time, or seasonal.

Yes. Employers in the retail industry, including Hamrick's, are legally permitted to run pre-employment background checks, provided they follow applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, background screening through a consumer reporting agency is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which sets rules for candidate consent, disclosure, and adverse action. Retailers that handle cash, merchandise, and customer information commonly screen candidates.

Hamrick's is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is consistent with standard practice in retail. Its distribution truck driver posting lists the ability to pass a background check among the requirements. The specific scope of the Hamrick's background check may vary by role, location, and whether the position involves cash handling or driving.

The Hamrick's hiring process typically begins with an online application through the company's job board or an application in store. The job board is organized by store and corporate location. Candidates may then meet with a store or department supervisor for an interview, and candidates who receive a conditional offer are usually asked to consent to a background check before starting. Some roles, such as driving jobs, add steps such as a drug screen and license review. The steps may vary by role and location, and Hamrick's has not published a single step-by-step process.

Turnaround depends on the types of searches ordered, how quickly courts and agencies respond, and how many jurisdictions a candidate's history touches. Many background checks are returned within a few business days, while checks that involve several counties or states can take longer. Candidates who want to understand typical timelines in more detail can review background check turnaround times.

A Hamrick's background check may reveal criminal history, identity details, and past employers, depending on the role. The specific components are set by the employer and may vary. For a retail, distribution, or corporate role, a background check may include some or all of the following:

Candidates should review any disclosure and consent forms provided during the hiring process to understand which searches apply to their role.

Hamrick's has not publicly detailed a drug-testing policy for store roles, but its distribution truck driver posting lists passing a DOT drug screen as a requirement. Federal rules at 49 CFR 382.301 generally require a commercial driver to have a verified negative controlled-substances test result before performing safety-sensitive work. Requirements for store, warehouse, and office roles may differ. This answer describes the posting and federal rules, not Hamrick's confirmed internal policy.

The lookback period for a background check depends on the type of search and the laws of the state or country where the candidate lives or worked. In the United States, the FCRA generally limits consumer reporting agencies from reporting most negative information older than seven years, with certain exceptions for higher-salary positions and specific record types such as convictions. Some states have stricter limits. Candidates with records in multiple jurisdictions may see different lookback windows applied to different searches within the same report.

Hamrick's has not publicly detailed its policy on felony records, and hiring decisions are typically made case by case. Factors that may matter include the type of offense, how much time has passed, and whether the offense relates to the duties of the role, such as handling cash or driving. Many states and cities have enacted "ban-the-box" laws that limit when and how employers can ask about criminal history. Candidates are encouraged to be honest on their application and prepared to discuss their background.

Candidates will typically be asked for written consent before a background check begins, usually through a disclosure form provided during the hiring process. They should be prepared to supply their full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, address history, and employment history. Driver applicants should also have their commercial driver's license details ready. Providing accurate information helps ensure searches are run in the correct jurisdictions and can prevent delays.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a US federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect, use, and share background check information. Under the FCRA, employers must obtain written consent before running a background check, provide a copy of the report and a summary of rights if they intend to take adverse action based on the results, and allow the candidate an opportunity to dispute inaccurate information before a final decision is made. For a detailed overview of how the FCRA applies to background checks, visit Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Hamrick's distribution truck driver posting lists a valid Class A CDL, a clean driving record, a DOT drug screen, and the ability to pass a background check. Federal rules at 49 CFR 391.23 generally call for a motor carrier to request a driver's driving record from each state where the driver held a license in the prior three years and to investigate the driver's safety performance history with prior DOT-regulated employers. Candidates with violations, suspensions, or accidents on their record should be prepared to discuss them. Store and office roles usually do not involve a driving record review unless the job includes operating company vehicles.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Hamrick's may see and help you identify potential inaccuracies before they affect your job application. In one secure report you can review:

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The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.