Dive Brief:

• Sheetz is facing criticism for a policy in its employee handbook that bars its convenience stores and gas stations from hiring people with visible dental issues, according to a report from Business Insider.
• The policy — which a former Sheetz employee told Business Insider is “disgusting and kind of classist” — states that "applicants with obvious missing, broken or badly discolored teeth (unrelated to a disability) are not qualified for employment” at the company.
• In light of Business Insider obtaining a written version of the policy and confirming it with former Sheetz employees, the retailer told the publication it will undertake “a more specific review to ensure” its policies support its commitment to creating a respectful culture, a Sheetz spokesperson said in the report.

Dive Insight:

Although Sheetz’s policy fits under U.S. law permitting employers to set appearance conditions for its workers, now that it’s been publicly revealed, it may do more harm than good as hiring and retention in c-stores remains a challenge for companies.

The policy also notes that employees who don’t meet Sheetz’s dental standards should have about 90 days for “resolving issues such as this.”

"In the event a current employee develops a dental problem that would limit their ability to display a pleasant, full, and complete smile, we cannot permit this situation to go on indefinitely," the policy says. "In cases such as this, the employee and store management, to include the District Manager and Employee Relations as necessary, will work to come up with a mutually agreed upon resolution."

Former Sheetz employees told Business Insider that the policy “targets its mostly working-class store staff,” and that they believe the company bases employment decisions on what applicants' teeth look like.

The Sheetz spokesperson told the publication that even though the policy exists, the company provides accommodations to it that are “granted for medical, cultural, and religious reasons.”

Sheetz did not respond by press time to an inquiry from C-Store Dive for more details on when it might have a decision on a reversal or change to this policy.

Dental insurance is included in the healthcare coverage for Sheetz employees. According to Fortune, in addition to this plan, Sheetz also provides up to $2,000 to cover extra dental work for store-level supervisors and managers.

Altoona, Pennsylvania-based Sheetz, which was founded in 1952, operates more than 670 c-stores in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland.