Biden Administration Accuses Sheetz of Racism in Criminal Screening Lawsuit

The Biden administration filed a lawsuit on the same day as President Joe Biden’s campaign stop in a Pittsburgh convenience shop. Sheetz, a privately-held family-run business with more than 23,000 employees, made a campaign stop in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Biden bought snacks during his visit and posed for photos with employees and customers.

According to the lawsuit filed by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Sheetz Inc., an American convenience store and gasoline chain with more than 700 locations in six states denied employment due to race to a group of job applicants.

The U.S EEOC has accused Sheetz of discrimination by screening all job applicants to check for criminal records and then denying them employment based upon these records. According to EEOC, the screening process resulted in a disproportionately high number of blacks, Native Americans, and multiracial candidates being denied employment at Sheetz.

The lawsuit alleges that the applicant screening violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1965, but does not assert that the outcome was racially biased.

According to the Associated Press, Native Americans and multiracials were both denied job opportunities in 13 percent of cases. Compared to this, less than 8% of white applicants for jobs were turned away based on a failed background check.

Debra M. Larue, Regional Attorney of the EEOC, said in a press release issued on Thursday:

Federal law requires that employers prove to the government they are necessary for the safety and efficiency of the job in question. Even if the employer can prove that the practice is necessary, it is still illegal if an alternative practice is available that is equally effective but has a less discriminatory impact.

Director of the EEOC Philadelphia District Office Jamie R. Williamson:

It is important to note that April is Second Chance Month. This demonstrates our commitment to reintegrating people with criminal records back into society, by providing them fair access to jobs and other services. The EEOC’s goal is to ensure that people with criminal records do not have their employment opportunities unlawfully denied because of their race.

Nick Ruffner is Sheetz’s Public Relations Manager. He also released a statement.

Sheetz will not tolerate any form of discrimination. Diversity and inclusion are integral to who we are. These allegations are taken seriously by us. For nearly eight years, we have tried to work with EEOC to resolve this dispute and find common ground. When the time comes, we will take the case to court.

In 2022, the EEOC notified Sheetz of the alleged illegal hiring practices that it claims date back to 2015. The EEOC claims that its inability to mediate a settlement with Sheetez led to the federal lawsuit filed last week.