EEOC Sues Sheetz, Inc. For Racially Discriminatory Hiring Practice

Summary:

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Sheetz, a convenience store chain, alleging that its practice of screening job applicants for criminal conviction records disproportionately screens out Black, Native American/Alaska Native, and multiracial applicants. The EEOC claims that this practice violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment practices that cause a discriminatory impact because of race, even if motivated by legitimate business purposes. The lawsuit does not allege intentional discrimination, but rather focuses on the disparate impact of the company's hiring practices. The EEOC is seeking a court order to prevent further discrimination and to require Sheetz to implement alternative hiring practices that have a less discriminatory impact.