All employers need to be vigilant about avoiding unlawful discrimination practices. This is especially true for companies that contract with the federal government and are subject to compliance audits that review whether a company has engaged in illegal bias based on race, age, sex, religion, or another protected personal characteristic. Recently, an audit identified discriminatory practices at a Georgia manufacturing plant, which resulted in several sanctions against the company.
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) determined that Ball Container, a major supplier of metal packaging, failed to comply with federal hiring regulations at its Rome facility. The U.S. Department of Labor’s investigation revealed statistically significant differences in the hiring rates of Black applicants compared to White applicants for production technician positions between February 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021.
In response to the findings, Ball Container agreed to a settlement that includes the following measures:
- Back pay with interest — Black applicants who were qualified for the production technician job but were not hired will be able to receive funds from a $309,000 pool provided by Ball for the compensation they would have earned, plus interest.
- Offers for production technician jobs — Ball is committed to making job offers to the victims of racial discrimination when production technician positions open up.
- Anti-discrimination training for hiring personnel — The company will also provide training to employees involved in the hiring process to prevent future discrimination and to reinforce the importance of fair hiring practices. This training is designed to ensure that hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications and experience, not on factors such as race.
This settlement underscores the importance of compliance with federal nondiscrimination standards for companies that contract with the federal government. The OFCCP’s focus on statistical analysis to detect potential discrimination highlights the agency’s commitment to ensuring that all qualified applicants receive fair treatment during the hiring process. Federal contractors must be diligent in their hiring practices, ensuring that decisions are transparent, objective, and free from bias.
The Reddy Law Firm, P.C., represents Georgia clients in racial discrimination cases and other matters where unlawful employment bias is alleged. To schedule an appointment with an accomplished attorney, please call 678-629-3246 or contact us online. Our office is in Alpharetta.
