Ocean State Job Lot: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

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Ocean State Job Lot: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

Ocean State Job Lot draws thousands of job seekers across the Northeast each year. Understanding the company's history, operations, and hiring practices can help you prepare when you apply. Below, we cover Ocean State Job Lot's origins and business model, and provide straightforward answers to the most-searched questions about the Ocean State Job Lot background check and drug testing process.

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Ocean State Job Lot: Company overview

Ocean State Job Lot was founded in 1977 by Marc Perlman, Alan Perlman, and Roy Dubs in Rhode Island. What began as a single discount retail location grew steadily into one of the largest closeout retail chains in the northeastern United States. The company is headquartered in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and has remained privately held throughout its history.

Today, Ocean State Job Lot operates approximately 175 stores across eleven states: Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. The chain employs approximately 5,600 people across its store network, distribution operations, and corporate functions.

The company's business model centers on purchasing closeout merchandise, overstock inventory, and discontinued products from manufacturers and other retailers, then passing those savings on to customers. Product categories span food, housewares, apparel, health and beauty, toys, hardware, and seasonal items. This model requires active inventory management and a workforce capable of adapting to shifting product mixes.

Ocean State Job Lot remains a private company with no publicly traded shares. As a result, financial disclosures are limited, but the company's store count and regional footprint reflect consistent growth over more than four decades of operation.

Company culture and employee programs:

Store-level positions include part-time and full-time roles in retail sales, stocking, and cashiering
Distribution center roles are available at the company's warehouse operations in Rhode Island
The company has been recognized by regional organizations for community giving and charitable contributions, including food donations
Store employees may be eligible for benefits packages that vary by employment classification and hours worked
The company participates in community outreach programs through its charitable foundation

Ocean State Job Lot background check FAQs

Does Ocean State Job Lot do background checks?

Yes. Ocean State Job Lot conducts background checks as part of its pre-employment screening process. Background checks are standard practice for most positions across the company's store and distribution operations. The scope and depth of screening may vary depending on the specific role, location, and applicable state regulations.

Candidates who receive a contingent offer will typically be asked to provide written consent before a background check is initiated. The results are then reviewed as part of the final hiring decision.

How long can an Ocean State Job Lot background check take?

Most background checks at Ocean State Job Lot are completed within three to five business days. However, the actual timeline can vary depending on several factors. For more context on what affects screening timelines, see background check turnaround times.

Factors that can affect how long a background check takes include:

The number and types of searches included in the screening package
The speed at which courts and third-party record sources return results
Delays in verifying employment or education history with past employers or institutions
State or county court backlogs
The accuracy and completeness of the information provided by the candidate on their application

What can be revealed in an Ocean State Job Lot background check?

The specific searches included in Ocean State Job Lot's background check will depend on the role and applicable laws, but pre-employment screening for retail positions commonly includes the following:

Identity and criminal history: A SSN trace confirms identity and surfaces address history used to scope additional searches. Criminal record searches may include county, state, federal, and national criminal database searches. Screening may also include a sex-offender registry check and a search of global watchlists for sanctions and other flagged records.
Employment verification: For certain roles, past employment history provided on the application may be verified to confirm accuracy.
Education verification: Positions that require specific credentials or degrees may include verification of educational history.

How far back can Ocean State Job Lot's background check go?

In most cases, background checks look back seven years for criminal history records. However, the lookback period can vary based on the position, the salary threshold, and the state where the job is located. Some states impose stricter limits on how far back a background check can reach, and "ban-the-box" laws in certain jurisdictions restrict when and how employers can inquire about criminal history during the hiring process.

Candidates applying for positions in states with specific restrictions on criminal history reporting should review their state's laws to understand their rights.

What is the FCRA and how does it protect candidates?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that governs how consumer reports, including employment background checks, can be requested and used by employers. The FCRA provides several protections for job candidates:

Employers must obtain written consent from a candidate before running a background check
If an employer intends to take adverse action based on background check results, they must provide the candidate with a copy of the report and a summary of their rights
Candidates have the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information found in their background report
The CRA conducting the search must follow procedures to ensure the accuracy of the information it provides

Understanding your rights under the FCRA can help you navigate the background check process with confidence.

Does Ocean State Job Lot drug test?

Drug testing policies are set at the employer's discretion and can vary by role, location, and applicable state law. Based on publicly available reports from current and former employees, drug testing at Ocean State Job Lot appears to be more commonly associated with management-level positions than with entry-level store associate roles. Candidates should be prepared for the possibility of a drug test as part of the overall pre-employment screening process.

If drug testing is part of the process for the role you are applying for, Ocean State Job Lot would typically communicate this requirement at or around the time of the contingent job offer.

What is the Ocean State Job Lot hiring process?

The Ocean State Job Lot hiring process for store-level and distribution positions generally follows these steps:

Application - Submit an application online or in person at a store location
Phone screen or interview - A hiring manager or recruiter may conduct an initial phone screen or schedule an in-person interview
Contingent offer - Qualified candidates receive a conditional offer of employment pending the completion of pre-employment screening
Consent form - The candidate provides written authorization for the background check to proceed
Background check - A third-party CRA conducts the requested searches and returns results, typically within three to five business days
Drug test (if applicable) - Certain roles may require a drug screen, which is typically completed around the same time as the background check
Orientation - Once screening is complete and cleared, the candidate is onboarded and attends new-hire orientation

Order your own background check

Before applying for a position at Ocean State Job Lot or any other employer, you have the option to review your own background report. Running a personal background check allows you to confirm what information may appear, identify any errors, and address potential issues proactively.

Checkr Personal Background Checks provides individuals with access to their own background report. You can also create a Checkr Profile to share your verified background information directly with prospective employers.

Are you a candidate with an open background check with Checkr?

If Ocean State Job Lot uses Checkr to conduct your background check, you can track the status of your report and get support through the Candidate Portal or by visiting the Checkr Help Center.

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.