Michaels Background Checks: Hiring Guide & FAQs

Michaels was founded in 1973 when businessman Michael J. Dupey converted a money-losing Dallas variety store into an arts and crafts retailer. The company grew through a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Michaels purchased regional craft chains throughout the 1990s, including Leewards Creative Crafts and Aaron Brothers’ framing shops.

Today, Michaels operates more than 1,200 stores across 49 US states and Canada, employing over 40,000 team members. The company offers a broad assortment of arts and crafts supplies for hobbies like scrapbooking, beading, knitting, painting, and floral arrangements.

Since its public debut in 1984, the company has changed ownership several times. In 2006, private equity firms Bain Capital and Blackstone Group acquired Michaels for $6 billion. In 2021, Apollo Global Management completed a $3.3 billion purchase, taking the company private. Despite ownership transitions, Michaels has maintained its position as a leading specialty arts and crafts retailer in North America.

Michaels aims to support team members in their creative development. Its career advancement opportunities for employees include hands-on training, workshops, and leadership programs.

Programs available to Michaels employees include:

Yes. After extending a contingent job offer, Michaels and similar retailers can request a background report from a third-party consumer reporting agency (CRA). Employment screening can help the company verify information provided by candidates and support workplace safety across its retail locations.

Most employment background checks can be completed in three to five business days, though timing depends on the specific screenings ordered and how accessible records are. Database searches often return results within minutes, while checks requiring manual courthouse retrieval or verification paperwork may take more than a week. Turnaround times can vary based on jurisdiction and how complete the information provided is. See Checkr's guide to background check turnaround times for more details about typical report timeframes.

A background check report for Michaels store jobs may include:

The specific components of a Michaels background check depend on the position, location, and applicable state regulations.

Drug testing policies at Michaels vary by position and location. For most retail store positions such as cashiers and sales associates, Michaels typically does not require pre-employment drug testing. However, positions in distribution centers and warehouses may require a pre-employment saliva drug test due to safety considerations in those work environments. Individual store locations and regions may have different policies, so candidates should confirm specific requirements during the interview process.

Lookback periods for a background check from Michaels or similar retailers vary by state law and the information the employer requests. Many employers focus on the past seven years for most convictions, and the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) limits non-conviction reporting to seven years. Certain roles may require more in-depth review depending on job responsibilities and regulatory requirements. Candidates should familiarize themselves with state fair chance or Ban the Box laws that may limit how far back employers can consider criminal records.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) establishes requirements that employers must follow when ordering background checks. These protections include:

When applied, these protections give candidates an opportunity to correct errors and provide context about their background.

Running a background check on yourself with Checkr allows you to preview what Michaels may see during the hiring process and identify potential inaccuracies before they affect your application. Your secure report may include:

Create your report in minutes with Checkr’s personal background checks. To show your credentials proactively to hiring managers, build a free Checkr Profile you can share during the hiring process at Michaels or similar retailers.

Check your report status in the Candidate Portal or visit the Checkr Help Center for FAQs, dispute steps, and contact information for our support team.

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.