A Virginia-based technology company will pay thousands of dollars for a job advertisement that asked for a “whites only” application.
The Departments of Justice and Labor fined minority-owned federal contractor Arthur Grand Technologies Inc. a $7,500 civil penalty. The departments also ordered the federal contractor to pay $31,000 in total to 31 people who complained about the postage.
“It is shameful that in the 21st century we continue to see employers using ‘whites only’ and ‘U.S. born only’ job postings to block applicants of color who would otherwise be eligible,” said Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Department of the Department of Justice. Division of Rights, she said in a statement.
The company has begun advertising for a Salesforce Business and Insurance Claims Analyst position based in Dallas, Texas in March 2023. In its job posting, the company restricted eligible candidates to “U.S.-born citizens only.” . [white] who reside within a 60 mile radius of Dallas, TX [Don’t share with candidates].”
The post sparked outrage on social media and the DOJ opened its investigation. The company denied approving the post and claimed it was posted by an employee working for its subsidiary in India.
The DOJ said the listing violated the Immigration and Nationality Act, and the Department of Labor said the company violated an executive order that prohibits federal contractors from discriminating based on race, national origin and other protected characteristics.
“We are committed to holding federal contractors accountable for egregious discriminatory practices like this ad,” said Michele Hodge, acting director of the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). “Companies like Arthur Grand that accept federal contracts cannot have a ‘whites only’ hiring process.”
The departments said Arthur Grand’s actions harmed individuals permitted to work in the U.S., including U.S. citizens born outside the country and certain non-U.S. citizens.
In addition to the fines, the company will now be monitored to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws. It is also required to train its employees on the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and review employment policies.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
