Circle K discrimination $8M EEOC settlement

Circle K agreed to an $8 million settlement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to resolve claims the company discriminated against disabled and pregnant workers.

The settlement benefits current and former Circle K employees who sought reasonable accommodations for a disability or pregnancy and were terminated between July 10, 2009, and Sept. 26, 2022.

Circle K is a chain of gas stations with franchises all over the country. According to a lawsuit from the EEOC, Circle K discriminates against pregnant and disabled employees.

The EEOC claims Circle K denied reasonable accommodations to pregnant and disabled employees. As a result, these workers were allegedly subjected to involuntary unpaid leave, retaliation and even termination. The EEOC maintains these discriminatory policies violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

“When employers have rigid maximum leave policies with no flexibility to give additional leave for a disability or pregnancy-related reason, they are in serious danger of running afoul of the law,” Mary Jo O’Neill, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Phoenix District Office, said in a statement. 

“Employers who don’t give current employees a reassignment to an open position after the employer decides there is no reasonable accommodation available in the current position are also in danger of violating the law.”

Circle K hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a settlement with the EEOC to resolve these allegations.

Under the terms of the Circle K settlement, class members can receive a cash payment. Payment amounts will be determined by the EEOC based on “objective criteria,” the settlement website explains.

Circle K has also agreed to make policy changes to better comply with EEOC requirements. The company will appoint a coordinator for pregnancy-related disability requests, conduct anti-discrimination training and make other changes in the next four years.

“We are pleased Circle K worked cooperatively with the EEOC to reach this conciliation agreement and, through our joint efforts, we have been able to bring about real change at Circle K without resorting to litigation,” said EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows in a statement.

To receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Feb. 26, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

Current and former Circle K employees who sought reasonable accommodations for a disability or pregnancy and were terminated between July 10, 2009, and Sept. 26, 2022.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

02/26/2023

Case Name

EEOC, et al. v. Circle K/Mac Convenience Stores LLC, Case No. unknown

Final Hearing

N/A

Settlement Website

EEOC-ADA-PDA-Settlement.com

Claims Administrator

EEOC v. Circle K Settlement Administrator
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91243
Seattle, WA 98111
info@EEOC-ADA-PDA-Settlement.com
844-633-0691

Class Counsel

UNKNOWN

Defense Counsel

UNKNOWN