Minneapolis-based retailer Target settles discrimination case

On Behalf of | Apr 11, 2018 | Employment Discrimination |

Target, the Minneapolis-based company, is one of the biggest retailers in the country. And, like all businesses, it is prohibited from engaging in illegal discrimination when it comes to employees and job applicants. But, despite those prohibitions, the company was the subject of a lawsuit that alleged discrimination in its hiring process.

According to a recent report, the lawsuit was based on the allegation that Target’s hiring practice of automatically rejecting job applicants who had a criminal history was discriminatory, particularly to African-Americans and Hispanics. The theory of the case, according to the report, was that since African-Americans and Hispanics are arrested at higher rates due to “systemic discrimination” in the American criminal justice system, such a hiring practice by Target was also discriminatory.

The report notes that the case was recently settled. Target will reportedly pay $3.7 million to settle the case and will also bring experts into the company to complete a review of the company’s hiring practices when it comes to job applicants who have criminal arrests or convictions in their backgrounds.

Most employers try to do the right thing when it comes to combatting discrimination in the company, but, as this recent case in Minnesota shows, some practices need to be examined further to see if discrimination is present even when the company believes it is in the right. When Minnesota residents believe they have been the victim of racial discrimination, they may need to explore their legal options for holding the employer accountable to make sure the practice is stopped.

Source: twincities.com, “Target settles suit claiming its hiring system discriminated,” April 5, 2018