President Joe Biden’s administration is suing convenience store chain Sheetz Co., alleging the company unfairly screens Black, Native American and multiracial job applicants after investigating criminal convictions.
What are the details?
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced the Pittsburgh-based lawsuit Thursday. KDKA TV reported. Sheetz’s headquarters are in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about two hours east of Pittsburgh, and the chain operates his 500 stores in Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina, according to its website. .
The EEOC alleges that Sheets unfairly screened applicants for the aforementioned races after background checks were conducted, according to the agency.
However, KDKA reported that the lawsuit does not allege that Sheets was racially motivated in his hiring decisions.
EEOC District Attorney Debra M. Lawrence said, “Federal law requires that employment practices that result in disparate impact because of race or other protected classifications must be used to ensure that the particular job at issue is not performed safely and efficiently.” “The employer must demonstrate that it is necessary to ensure the performance of the employee.” According to the bureau. “Even if such a need is demonstrated, the practice remains unlawful if an alternative practice is available that is more effective in achieving the employer’s goals and has a less discriminatory impact.” .”
Details from KDKA:
According to the EEOC, the alleged conduct violates Title VII, which prohibits face-neutral employment practices “if the practice is unrelated to the job and consistent with business necessity. , or cause a discriminatory effect on the basis of race when an alternative practice with a less discriminatory effect is available.” ”
The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland after attempts to reach a pre-litigation settlement.
What did Mr. Sheets say?
“Sheetz does not tolerate discrimination of any kind. Diversity and inclusion are an important part of who we are,” the chain’s communications manager, Nick Ruffner, said in a statement, according to the agency. “We take these allegations seriously. We have been working with the EEOC for nearly eight years to try to find common ground and resolve this dispute. We will resolve these allegations in court when the time is right. I’m going to work on it.”
Mr. Sheets files suit over employment practicesyoutube.be
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