A Virginia technology company has agreed to pay thousands of dollars in penalties for publishing a “whites only” job ad last year, according to the Department of Justice.
The DOJ and the Department of Labor announced Monday that they had struck a deal with Arthur Grand Technologies Inc. to resolve claims of discriminatory job ads.
According to the terms of separate agreements, Arthur Grand will pay a $7,500 civil penalty to the United States Treasury and $31,000 in compensation to the complainants after an inquiry determined that a 2023 job post violated the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The job posting was on Indeed, and it advertised a position as a business analyst with the company’s sales and insurance claims team in Dallas. The listing stated in bold text: “Only Born U.S. Citizens [White] who live within 60 miles of Dallas, Texas [Do not share with candidates].”
Investigation Results and Legal Violations
The Labor Department ruled that this action violated Executive Order 11246, which forbids discrimination by federal contractors. Specifically, Arthur Grand was found to have discriminated against job applicants based on their race and country origin during the hiring process for a salesforce business analyst role.
The inquiry indicated that a job advertisement made by a recruiter in India unlawfully discouraged some people from applying. The findings were announced in January but made public in May. As part of a conciliation agreement, Arthur Grand promised to take a number of corrective activities in order to avoid litigation.
“It is shameful that in the twenty-first century, employers continue to use ‘whites only’ and ‘only U.S. born’ job postings to lock out otherwise qualified job candidates of color,” DOJ Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a statement.
Ms. Clarke also stated that the department will continue to “hold employers accountable when they violate our nation’s federal civil rights laws.” Company’s Response and Settlement Terms
Last year, the company stated in a now-deleted LinkedIn post that the posting was not authorized by Arthur Grand or its staff.
“A former employee took an existing posting and added discriminatory language, then reposted it through his own account,” said the business. “As soon as this was brought to our attention, we worked with the job platform to delete the inappropriate job posting. The appropriate legal action has been taken against the job advertisement.”
Arthur Grand identified itself in the statement as a “minority-owned” corporation that “prides itself” on the diversity of its workforce and leadership.
The Epoch Times has contacted Arthur Grand for a response.
As part of the settlements, those who qualify will receive a minimum sum of $1,000. The corporation has not admitted or denied the infringement, but has agreed to the restrictions to avoid further litigation.
Furthermore, the organization is needed to teach employees on legal obligations, amend employment practices, and be monitored by the appropriate departments. According to the news release, the company has also committed to offering specific workplace training for staff participating in recruitment processes in order to prevent future discrimination.
Similar controversies and congressional inquiries
A similar issue erupted over a job posting by the Kraft Group, which owns the New England Patriots, advertising a sports management position that needed applicants to be “BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and Person of Color).”
The employment advertisement, which went viral in March, was exposed as discriminatory against white candidates.
Concerns over hiring discrimination led Reps. James Comer (R-Ky.) and Pat Fallon (R-Texas) of the House Oversight Committee to launch an investigation into the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s enforcement of federal statute barring racial discrimination in employment practices. This followed fears that some companies might be discriminating against candidates.
The investigation was launched after 13 attorneys general wrote to Fortune 100 corporations, expressing concern about their diversity, equity, and inclusion activities. The letter highlighted what they claimed were illegal racial discrimination in hiring practices. It highlighted particular incidents and companies that allegedly used racial quotas and favors.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 forbids discriminatory employment practices based on race, color, religion, gender, or national origin.
Leave a Reply