If the allegations leveled against Macy’s in a recent lawsuit are true, the department store chain could be in serious trouble. NBC News reports that the Fortune Society Inc., a nonprofit that aids people with criminal records in securing employment and reintegrating into society, filed a lawsuit alleging Macy’s discriminates against black and brown employees. Specifically, Macy’s is being accused of either refusing to hire or terminating the employment of individuals with prior criminal convictions, regardless of the severity of their offense. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Jenetta...

Macy’s Inc. illegally rejects job applicants, revokes job offers, and terminates employment based on old, minor, and unrelated criminal histories, a class action filed June 26 alleges. The retailer’s policies and practices “reinforce the racial discrimination present in the criminal justice system and result in unjustified racial disparities in employment opportunities,” it says. The complaint alleges violations of civil rights laws barring disparate impact discrimination, which focuses on neutral employment policies that have a disproportionately negative effect on workers based on race or...