$800,000 to be paid to 750 people; some will be offered employment
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June 13, 2008
SALISBURY - Perdue Farms Inc. will pay more than $800,000 after the U.S. Department of Labor found that its hiring practices systematically discriminated against nonHispanic job applicants.
A Labor Department news release states an evaluation in 2005 and 2006 by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs found the Salisbury-based company failed to comply with federal employment laws at its poultry processing plants in Rockingham, N.C., Dillon, S.C., and Monterey, Tenn.
Perdue officials denied the OFCCP's allegations on the basis that many applicants were unqualified for employment or withdrew from consideration for employment, but agreed to a settlement to avoid protracted litigation, according to the company.
"Perdue is committed to treating all job applicants fairly. We regret we did not more carefully document our hiring process for production associates, which led to these concerns by the OFCCP and, ultimately, to this settlement," Rob Heflin, vice president of human resources for Perdue, said in a company statement. "Perdue has strict workplace fairness policies and regularly audited procedures to assure they are being followed."
As a result of the agreement, Perdue will pay $800,000 in back wages and interest to 750 women and minorities who were not hired during the time periods at issue, and will make employment offers to some of those individuals who are still interested in working for the company. Those hired will receive retroactive company service dates for purposes of vacation days, sick days and transfer and promotion rights, according to the Labor Department.
"This settlement should put all federal contractors on notice that the Labor Department is serious about eliminating systemic discrimination," said Charles E. James Sr., OFCCP's deputy assistant secretary. "We strongly encourage other employers to take proactive steps to come into compliance with the law."
The company fully cooperated with the review, Department of Labor officials said.
Perdue has implemented new procedures to ensure it retains all relevant documentation of its selection processes and is also conducting training of its human resources staff to assure appropriate implementation of Perdue's hiring and employment practices, according to the company statement.
The OFCCP is part of the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment Standards Administration. The agency is responsible for ensuring that employers doing business with the federal government comply with the laws and regulations requiring nondiscrimination and affirmative action.
OFCCP has jurisdiction over Perdue Farms Inc. because the company supplies poultry under federal contract to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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