A Virginia-based tech company, Arthur Grand Technologies Inc., is facing penalties and a settlement after the U.S. Department of Labor and the Justice Department discovered a discriminatory job posting. The federal contractor was fined a civil penalty of $7,500 after the departments found that the job posting requested “whites only” and “U.S.-born” candidates. In addition to the fine, the company has been ordered to pay $31,000 overall to 31 people who complained about the posting.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division’s assistant attorney general, Kristen Clarke, expressed disappointment at the use of such discriminatory language in job postings in the 21st century. She condemned the practice of using “whites only” and “only US born” job requirements to exclude eligible job candidates of color.
Arthur Grand Technologies Inc. is a minority-owned federal contractor based in Virginia. The company has been designated as a disadvantaged business. As part of the settlement agreement, the company will also be monitored to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws.
This settlement comes after the Justice Department announced that Arthur Grand Technologies is paying $38,500 to settle claims of discrimination related to their job listing seeking white, U.S.-born candidates for an opening as a business analyst. The company’s discriminatory job posting also included a stipulation that said, “Don’t share with candidates.”
The incidents involving Arthur Grand Technologies Inc. serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, especially in the tech industry. The settlement with the U.S. government highlights the seriousness with which discriminatory job postings are being addressed, and serves as a warning to other companies about the legal and financial consequences of such actions.
The monetary penalties and the settlement agreement with Arthur Grand Technologies send a strong message that the U.S. government is committed to enforcing anti-discrimination laws and ensuring fair and equal employment opportunities for all individuals. It also underscores the imperative for companies across industries to review and amend their hiring practices to align with inclusive and non-discriminatory policies.
