Federal Officials Sue Sheetz Convenience Store Chain for Alleged Discrimination Against Minority Job Applicants
The Sheetz convenience store chain is facing a lawsuit from federal officials over allegations of discrimination against minority job applicants. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed suit against Sheetz Inc., which operates over 700 stores in six states, claiming that the company discriminated against Black, Native American, and multiracial job seekers by automatically rejecting applicants who failed a criminal background check.
President Joe Biden made a stop at a Sheetz store for snacks while campaigning in Pennsylvania this week, bringing attention to the issue. Sheetz responded to the allegations, stating that they do not tolerate discrimination of any kind and highlighting their commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, accuses Sheetz of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits workplace discrimination based on race, sex, religion, and national origin. The EEOC is seeking to compel Sheetz to offer jobs to unlawfully denied applicants, provide back pay, retroactive seniority, and other benefits.
The EEOC began investigating Sheetz after receiving complaints from job applicants, finding that Black applicants were denied employment due to criminal history screening at a rate of 14.5%, while multiracial and Native American applicants were turned away at rates of 13% and 13.5% respectively. In contrast, less than 8% of white applicants faced similar rejections.
Despite efforts to mediate a settlement, the EEOC proceeded with the lawsuit after Sheetz failed to address the alleged violations. The company’s hiring practices have been under scrutiny since at least 2015, with the EEOC aiming to rectify the impact on affected job applicants.
As the legal battle unfolds, Sheetz faces potential repercussions for its hiring practices, with federal officials emphasizing the importance of ensuring fair and non-discriminatory employment opportunities for all applicants.
