When an organization mistreats employees or potential hires on a grand scale, a federal entity may intervene in the place of individual employment discrimination lawyers. Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) stepped in when an Arkansas company stood accused of repeatedly screening out women and minorities in its hiring process.
According to the OFCCP, Baldor Electricity, based in Fort Smith, Arkansas, had violated an executive order because the screening process set in place for new hires allegedly had a "disparate impact on women and minorities." The federal government's case stated that 795 women and individuals of African-American, Hispanic and Asian ancestry had been barred from advancing to the interview stage when applying for jobs with the company.
Baldor Electricity specializes in industrial motor and generator manufacturing, and currently holds contracts with multiple factions of the U.S. government, including the departments of Justice and Veterans Affairs. Because of its involvement with federal agencies, the company also has to abide by more rigorous standards for equal treatment among employees across race and gender lines.
On June 25, the business came to a settlement with the OFCCP. Though it didn't admit to any discriminatory practices, representatives from Baldor pledged to pay $2 million in damages to the plaintiffs in back pay and interest. In a conciliation agreement, the manufacturer also stated its intention to offer jobs to 50 of the individuals involved and revise and monitor its hiring procedures to make sure that it doesn't violate state or federal laws.
Any Missouri residents who feel they've been denied job positions because of their gender or ethnicity should discuss the incident with a lawyer in Kansas City to figure out if they have a legitimate case under state and federal employment law.