Walmart
Racist Hiring Practices Allegation
Two African American warehouse workers who held jobs at the Walmart Distribution Center in far southwest suburban Elwood have filed racial discrimination complaints against Walmart.
The workers, Mark Balentine and Laseant Sardin, claim that after the retailer insourced jobs at that facility from a third-party contractor, Walmart disproportionately rescinded job offers to African American employees based on criminal history even though many of the employees had been working in those jobs for years despite their prior convictions.
Christopher Williams, an attorney from the National Legal Advocacy Network, is representing Balentine and Sardin. Williams said his clients are asking the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to launch an investigation.
Between 100 and 200 other African American workers were terminated from their jobs after Walmart insourced the positions, due to background checks, according to Williams. He believes they could be eligible for class-action legal status. They believe that Walmart's policies and practices related to the background checks are unlawful in that they have a disparate impact on African Americans.
Williams said employers often look at employees' criminal histories to gauge whether they will be reliable employees. But he said Walmart should have made individualized, specialized assessments for his clients to take into account their work histories, as well.[1]
To settle a class action lawsuit over alleged racial discrimination in the giant retailer's hiring of truck drivers, Wal-Mart Stores have paid $17.5 million. The suit was filed by Daryal Nelson and Tommy Armstrong who alleged that Wal-Mart, Inc. and Wal-Mart Transportation LLC had "discriminated against African Americans on the basis of race in recruitment and hiring."
Wallmart decided to settle the litigation "in the best interest of our company, our shareholders and our associates," said spokeswoman Daphne Moore said. "Encouraging diversity is an important part of the hiring process for all areas of our company," she added.
Wallmart will implementing improvements to their transportation division's recruitment, selection and personnel systems and believe they will be an integral part of their commitment to diversity. Wal-Mart will provide "priority job placements to 23 of the class members who submit approved claim forms."[2]
Supports to Black Lives Matter
To support Black Lives Matter movement, Walmart announced that it will contribute $100 million over five years to create a new center for racial equity. In an email to Walmart employees, CEO Doug McMillan said the center "will seek to advance economic opportunity and healthier living, including issues surrounding the social determinants of health, strengthening workforce development and related educational systems, and support criminal justice reform with an emphasis on examining barriers to opportunity faced by those exiting the system."[3]
References
- ↑ Yoused, Odette. Complaints Allege Racist Hiring Practices At Walmart Warehouse. April 22, 2019. npr.org. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
- ↑ France-Presse, Agence. Wal-Mart Settles Racism Lawsuit for $17.5 Million. Feb 23, 2020. industryweek.com. Retrieved Feb 1, 2021.
- ↑ Livingston, Mercey. These are the major brands donating to the Black Lives Matter movement. June 16, 2020. cnet.com. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
