Did you get rejected from a job at Dollar General after a background check? It’s tough when your past keeps you from working, even if you aced the interview.
At Haseeb Legal, we get it. Our Chicago firm specializes in credit reporting law and has been recognized by Super Lawyers, USA Today, and more. Dollar General’s background checks can be wrong or unfair, impacting certain people more.
You don’t have to face this alone. We’re here to help you fight back against incorrect or unfair rejections and get the job you deserve.
Who Is Dollar General?
I have represented clients in consumer cases against large retailers for years. Dollar General is often on our radar. This discount giant runs over 19,000 stores across America. They sell a wide range of goods, from groceries to home items, all at low prices.
With $38 billion in annual revenue, they are a major player. They are especially important in small towns where they are often the only shopping choice. They employ around 160,000 people nationwide and are always hiring. However, their hiring practices need closer examination.
Why Did Dollar General Get Sued by the EEOC?
My team at Haseeb Legal has seen firsthand how background checks can unfairly keep qualified people from jobs. In 2019, Dollar General had to pay $6 million to settle a lawsuit with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This wasn’t a small matter – it was a major federal class action race discrimination case. The EEOC claimed Dollar General’s background check system unfairly screened out job applicants, with serious civil rights implications.
How Were Certain Applicants Treated Unfairly?
The core of the EEOC’s case revealed a troubling issue: Dollar General’s background check system affected Black job applicants more than white applicants with similar records. While their policies seemed neutral, the outcomes were not fair.
More Black applicants lost job opportunities due to Dollar General’s interpretation of criminal history. This “disparate impact” violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. I often explain this to clients when discussing employment discrimination.
Can You Get a Second Chance After Being Rejected?
The settlement changed things for the better. Dollar General must rethink its approach to applicants denied due to background checks. They promised improved communication with these individuals, allowing them to explain their situations. This change is crucial. Previously, many people didn’t know they could contest background check results or share context about past errors.
What Goes Into Your Dollar General Background Check?
Like most big employers, Dollar General uses third-party companies to screen applicants. These checks examine your criminal history, past jobs, and other personal information. While this is standard practice in retail, Dollar General now faces stricter requirements after the EEOC settlement. The process typically takes several days to complete, though some cases drag on for weeks.
What Does Dollar General Look For in Your Past?
Criminal history remains their main concern. They look for both felonies and misdemeanors that might relate to the job. A record doesn’t mean you’re disqualified. What matters is the offense’s nature and timing. After the EEOC settlement, Dollar General must decide if an old conviction makes someone unfit for a job.
Why Do People Worry About These Background Checks?
In my practice, clients often ask: “How long will my Dollar General background check take?” or “What might cause me to fail?” These are valid concerns. Most checks finish within a few days, but some take longer if records are hard to verify. If your check seems delayed, don’t panic – reach out to the hiring manager for an update. Delays happen for many reasons and don’t necessarily mean bad news.
What Might Make You Fail a Dollar General Background Check?
Recent serious crimes, like theft or violence, can hinder employment at Dollar General. Even minor offenses may create issues if they relate to job duties. The EEOC settlement, however, requires Dollar General to be more careful. They must consider if an offense truly makes someone unfit for a specific role, instead of applying blanket rejections.
How Can Background Check Errors Hurt Your Job Chances?
I’ve handled numerous cases where background check errors cost people job opportunities. These mistakes happen more often than you might think. Sometimes, the wrong person’s record appears on your report. Other times, outdated information shows up even after cases are dismissed or expunged.
If you think an error on your Dollar General background check led to your rejection, you can dispute it. The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you rights. Our firm can help you with this process.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does FTI mean on a background check for Dollar General?
FTI on your Dollar General background check means “Failure to Identify.” This usually occurs when the background check company can’t verify some of your information. It could be your name, date of birth, or social security number that does not match their records. Sometimes, this happens due to typos in your application. Other times, it may be identity confusion with someone else. If you see FTI on your report, contact Dollar General’s HR department immediately to resolve the issue. I help clients with this often, as fixing identification issues quickly can save your job opportunities.
Is it hard to get hired at Dollar General?
Getting hired at Dollar General isn’t usually difficult compared to other retail positions. The company needs lots of workers for their thousands of stores. However, their background check process can create unexpected hurdles. From my experience with job applicants, those with clean backgrounds and basic retail skills usually navigate the process easily. However, if you have any background issues, it can get tricky. This is especially true due to past unfair screening practices. The good news is that after the EEOC settlement, their hiring process should be fairer and more transparent.
How long does the hiring process take at Dollar General?
The hiring process at Dollar General usually takes 1-2 weeks from application to job offer. First, you submit your application. Then, there’s a brief interview. After that, they conduct a background check, which takes 3-7 days. Some clients get hired within days, while others wait weeks. This often happens if there are issues with the background check. If your application seems stuck, don’t worry. Reach out to the store manager or HR contact. Dollar General handles thousands of applications. Sometimes, yours needs a little push to keep moving forward.
What’s the EEOC lawsuit against Dollar General all about?
The EEOC lawsuit against Dollar General focused on racial discrimination in background checks. It was filed in 2013 and settled in 2019 for $6 million. The lawsuit claimed that Dollar General’s screening process unfairly rejected more black applicants than white applicants with similar records, a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Dollar General agreed to improve its hiring process as part of the settlement. They would hire a criminology expert to review their practices. They also needed to reconsider rejected applicants and create better methods for applicants to explain their backgrounds.
This case is significant because it shows how neutral policies can still harm certain groups of job seekers.
Who do I appeal to with a Dollar General background check error?
If you spot errors in your Dollar General background check, act quickly. First, reach out to Dollar General’s HR department. Explain the issue and ask for the name of the background check company they used. Next, file a formal dispute with that company. By law, they must investigate errors within 30 days. You also have rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which we specialize in at Haseeb Legal. We help clients file disputes and, if needed, take legal action against companies with inaccurate reports. Don’t let an error cost you a job. You have the right to fix false information.
To know more about the law visit federal trade commission
