In Deep Sheetz: From Alleged Racial Discrimination to Background Check Errors, What to Know Before You Apply
- Blog
- In Deep Sheetz: From Alleged Racial Discrimination to Background Check Errors, What to Know Before You Apply
Denied a job at Sheetz? Their background check process could be to blame. Know your rights and take action now!
If Sheetz didn’t hire you after a background check, it could be errors or discrimination. Learn what you need to know before you apply to Sheetz and what to do if you’ve been wrongfully denied a job.
Sheetz is a name familiar to many across the Mid-Atlantic states. Known for its convenient locations, grab-and-go snacks, and competitive gas prices, Sheetz has become a staple for many travelers and locals alike. However, as with any large corporation, there's more than meets the eye. Behind the friendly facade and bright lights, serious concerns about employment practices have come to light, specifically regarding the company’s use of background checks in its hiring process.
Learn what the courts have to say about the Sheetz background check process—from data errors to discrimination—and how Consumer Attorneys can help. We’re always ready to help people whose job situations have been derailed by background check errors, and we’re monitoring an ongoing Sheetz class action lawsuit.
This article explores Sheetz’s presence in the job market, employment opportunities, and the issues surrounding its background check process. Learn what you need to know before you apply and what to do if you believe you’ve been wrongfully denied a job. Call Consumer Attorneys for a free consultation, to ask questions, and get help.
Sheetz: A Regional Giant
Sheetz, Inc., is a family-owned chain of convenience stores and gas stations with its roots firmly planted in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1952, Sheetz has grown exponentially and now operates over 700 locations across six states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. Each location offers fuel and a wide array of food and beverage options. Some even offer seating for a quick meal on the go, an arcade to entertain the kids, and showers for travelers on long journeys.
Employment at Sheetz
With over 20,000 employees, Sheetz is a big employer in the regions it serves. The company is known for offering a variety of positions, from in-store customer service roles to distribution and transportation jobs. Sheetz has consistently marketed itself as a great workplace, often citing its competitive benefits, supportive work environment, and opportunities for advancement. However, recent legal actions have raised questions about how Sheetz handles certain aspects of its hiring process, particularly its use of criminal background checks.
Sheetz and the EEOC Complaint: Racial Discrimination in Hiring
In April 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against Sheetz, Inc. and its parent companies, Sheetz Distribution Services, LLC, and CLI Transport, LP. This lawsuit claims that since at least August 10, 2015, Sheetz has engaged in discriminatory hiring practices that violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
What did Sheetz do wrong?
The EEOC alleges that Sheetz discriminated against Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and multiracial job applicants by denying them employment based on their criminal justice histories. In other words, after running background checks on job applicants, Sheetz wouldn’t hire people with a certain criminal history. Because the background checks of minority applicants had a higher rate of criminal history, those applicants were being denied jobs at twice the rate of white applicants. So, according to the EEOC, Sheetz’s policies were disproportionately affecting these racial groups.
Under the law, if an employer’s policy has a far bigger impact on one racial group over another (also known as a “disparate impact”), there has to be a really strong, business-related reason for it, but Sheetz couldn’t justify the practice. Sheetz uses a criminal background check company called First Advantage to screen applicants and decide whether they are eligible for hire.
The Alleged Violations
The EEOC found a few major problems with Sheetz’s policy:
| Issue | Description |
|---|---|
| Disparate Impact | The EEOC says Sheetz's use of criminal background checks has a disproportionately negative impact on Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and multiracial applicants. For example, Black applicants were denied employment at a rate exceeding 14.5%, while White applicants were denied at a rate of under 8%. |
| Lack of Review or Appeal | The EEOC alleges that Sheetz has no standardized process for applicants to appeal decisions based on their criminal background checks. Additionally, the hiring managers are not required to seek additional information from the applicants, leading to potentially unfair outcomes. |
| Continuing Discrimination | The complaint states that Sheetz has continued these practices from 2015 to the present, affecting countless applicants across its locations. |
Legal Troubles
This case is particularly significant because it addresses the bigger issue of how criminal background checks can foster racial discrimination in employment. The EEOC wants Sheetz to stop these practices and wants Sheetz to pay for the damage they may have already done. If Sheetz has denied you a job following a background check and you think it could be the result of a flawed criminal background check system, contact the racial discrimination attorneys at Consumer Attorneys.
The Sheetz Background Check Process
Like many large employers, Sheetz conducts background checks on potential employees as part of its hiring process. First Advantage primarily carries out these checks and provides Sheetz with detailed reports on applicants’ backgrounds and criminal histories. Sheetz then uses the information in these background checks to determine whether an applicant is right for the job.
Issues with Background Checks
While background checks are a common part of the hiring process, there can be a lot of issues with how they’re done or relied on. Errors in these reports are not uncommon and can lead to qualified candidates not getting jobs. Here are some potential problems:
| Issue | Description |
|---|---|
| Inaccurate Information | Background check companies like First Advantage may sometimes provide outdated or incorrect information, leading to a wrongful denial of employment. This can include errors in criminal records, such as reporting offenses that were expunged or not accurately reporting a clean record. |
| Too Big an Impact on Minority Applicants | As the EEOC lawsuit against Sheetz highlights, the use of criminal background checks can affect minority applicants more than it should. This is due to bigger issues within the criminal justice system, where minority groups are often overrepresented in arrest and conviction statistics. But Sheetz needs to find a way around this so their hiring practices are fair. |
| Lack of Transparency | Many applicants may not know what is included in their background check or that they have the right to challenge inaccurate information. Sheetz's process, as the EEOC alleged, does not provide sufficient opportunities for applicants to appeal decisions made based on these checks. |
The Role of First Advantage in Sheetz Background Checks
First Advantage is a leading background check provider. Many companies, including Sheetz, use them for employment screening. While they offer a range of services, their handling of criminal background checks has been scrutinized, particularly in this case.
- Processing errors. First Advantage processes thousands of background checks, but it is susceptible to errors like any large-scale operation. A mistake on a report can have serious consequences, especially if it leads to a job denial.
- Legal action. If an error in a background check from First Advantage has caused you to lose out on a job at Sheetz, you may have legal recourse. Companies like First Advantage are subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires that background checks be accurate and that consumers can dispute incorrect information.
Sheetz and Background Check Errors
If you applied for a job at Sheetz and were denied employment after a background check, you might feel frustrated and powerless. However, you don't have to navigate this situation alone.
Contact Consumer Attorneys
We at Consumer Attorneys are here to help. If you believe your job application was wrongfully denied due to a background check, especially if it was a Sheetz criminal background check, we want to hear from you. Our team will work with you to determine if anything is actionable about your denial.
Determining Your Legal Options
It’s important to understand that not every job denial following a background check is unlawful. Sometimes, Sheetz has done nothing wrong and simply followed their standard procedure. However, the EEOC is looking into their hiring practices in general. If your denial was part of a pattern or discrimination, you might have a reason for a lawsuit.
Moreover, if the denial of the job was due to an error in the background check, such as incorrect or outdated information provided by First Advantage, you might have a claim against the background check company itself. As background check lawyers, we can assist you in challenging these inaccuracies and seeking the compensation you deserve.
Moving Forward
Navigating the legal landscape surrounding employment and background checks can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Consumer Attorneys, we are committed to helping you understand your rights and to helping you enforce those rights to protect your right to work. Contact us today if you’ve been affected by a Sheetz background check. We provide the support and guidance you need to move forward. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you believe you’ve been wrongfully denied a job – your rights matter, and we are here to defend them.
Sheetz is a well-known and respected name in the convenience store and gas station industry, but recent allegations of discriminatory hiring practices have cast a shadow over the company. As the EEOC lawsuit progresses, more light will be shed on how Sheetz’s use of criminal background checks has affected minority job applicants. If you’ve been impacted by a Sheetz criminal background check, it’s crucial to understand your rights and seek legal advice. At Consumer Attorneys, we are ready to help you navigate these complex issues and ensure you receive fair treatment in the job application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Sheetz may hire individuals with pending felonies, but this depends on various factors, including the nature of the charge, the role applied for, and the background check results. Sheetz considers each applicant on a case-by-case basis, considering the offense's relevance to the job responsibilities, the time since the offense occurred, and the applicant's overall history and rehabilitation efforts. However, their background check practices have come under scrutiny for potentially discriminatory impacts on minority applicants, making it important for applicants to understand their rights and seek legal advice if they believe they were unfairly denied a job.
Sheetz is facing allegations from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for discriminatory hiring practices. The EEOC claims that since 2015, Sheetz has disproportionately denied employment to Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and multiracial applicants based on their criminal histories. These practices allegedly violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by creating a disparate impact on minority groups. The EEOC's lawsuit highlights the lack of a standardized review process for applicants to appeal background check decisions, leading to potential unfairness in hiring. The case underscores concerns about how criminal background checks can perpetuate systemic racial biases, especially when employers rely heavily on automated systems without sufficient oversight.
To work at Sheetz, you generally need to be at least 16 years old. However, for certain positions that involve handling alcohol or other responsibilities requiring a higher level of maturity, the minimum age requirement may be 18. Sheetz offers various roles, from customer service to food preparation, providing young workers valuable experience in a fast-paced retail environment. The company also promotes a supportive work culture with opportunities for growth, advancement, and access to comprehensive benefits, making it an attractive option for entry-level job seekers looking to build a career in retail or food service.
Sheetz uses First Advantage, a leading background check provider, to conduct criminal history screenings on potential employees. First Advantage compiles detailed reports on applicants, which Sheetz uses to make hiring decisions. However, the process has come under scrutiny due to concerns about the accuracy of the information and its potentially discriminatory impact on minority applicants. Errors in these reports can lead to wrongful job denials, and the lack of an appeal process at Sheetz raises further concerns about fairness and transparency in their hiring practices. Moreover, the use of automated decision-making tools by First Advantage exacerbates the risk of inaccuracies and biased outcomes. Ensuring that these checks are both fair and accurate is essential for protecting applicants' rights and maintaining equitable employment practices at Sheetz.
Sheetz offers a variety of jobs across its numerous locations, primarily in customer service and food preparation. As a gas station and convenience store chain, typical positions include cashiers, sales associates, and food service workers. Some Sheetz locations also feature made-to-order food options, where employees prepare meals and serve customers. Additionally, Sheetz offers roles in distribution, transportation, and management, providing opportunities for career advancement. Employees may also find opportunities in store leadership, logistics, and corporate positions, allowing for a wide range of career paths. With competitive benefits and a focus on a supportive work environment, Sheetz is a popular employer in the regions it serves, known for its commitment to employee satisfaction and development.
Daniel Cohen is the Founder of Consumer Attorneys. Daniel manages the firm’s branding, marketing, client intake and business development efforts. Since 2017, he is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates and the National Consumer Law Center. Mr. Cohen is a nationally-recognized practitioner of consumer protection law. He has a we... Read more
Related Articles
