The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing Sheetz, arguing that the company’s use of criminal background checks in hiring is discriminatory.
- The agency noted that Sheetz was not motivated by race in making hiring decisions.
- However, the agency claims that the convenience-store chain’s hiring practices disproportionately screened out job applicants who are Black, Native American, Alaska Native amd multiracial, violating Title VII of the of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
- Based in Altoona, Sheetz allegedly gathered information about criminal records through questions on application forms and checks conducted by outside vendors, according to the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Maryland District, Northern Division.
- “Sheetz does not tolerate discrimination of any kind, Diversity and inclusion are part of who we are,” Sheetz spokesperson Nick Ruffner said in a statement.
- “We take these allegations seriously,” Ruffner added, noting that Sheetz has tried to work with the EEOC to resolve the dispute over the last eight years. “We will address the claims in court when the time comes.”
What are the claims: At least two job applicants filed complaints about Sheetz with the EEOC alleging violations of Title VII, according to the lawsuit.
- EEOC investigated the claims and, in 2022, notified Sheetz that the agency found “reasonable cause” to believe that Sheetz and two related companies, Sheetz Distribution Services LLC and petroleum distributor CLI Transport LP were violating Title VII.
- Title VII bars discrimination against employees and job applicants based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.
- Federal regulators have often argued that criminal background checks can have a discriminatory impact and should be used only when necessary.
- “Even when such necessity is proven, the practice remains unlawful if there is an alternative practice available that is comparably effective in achieving the employer’s goals but causes less discriminatory effect,” EEOC regional attorney Debra M. Lawrence said in a statement yesterday about the Sheetz lawsuit.
- The agency invited Sheetz to discuss informally a resolution to the issue but claims the discussions did not lead to an agreement, according to the lawsuit.
- The EEOC claims the allegedly discriminatory background screenings have been in place since at least 2015 at Sheetz’s operations in Maryland and companywide.
- The lawsuit, which is seeking to end the allegedly discriminatory practices, was initiated by the EEOC’s field office in Baltimore.
The background: Sheetz operates more than 700 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia and employs more than 25,000 people.
- The chain is currently expanding into Michigan.
