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OPA News Release: [12/01/2003]
Contact Name: Dolline
Hatchett
Phone Number: (202) 693-4651
U.S. Labor Department and Monrovia Nursery Reach
Settlement of over $500,000 for 240 Women
Agreement Resolves Findings of Gender
Discrimination at Visalia, Calif. Facility
WASHINGTON—Monrovia Nursery has agreed to settle findings of
the U.S. Department of Labor that employment practices at its Visalia, Calif.
facility discriminated against qualified female applicants for jobs based on
their gender. The agreement settles the department’s allegations that the
company failed to afford women applicants equal employment opportunities in its
hiring process for entry-level laborer jobs. Monrovia Nursery is part of
Monrovia Growers, headquartered in Azusa, Calif. The company sells plants and
plant materials to various federal agencies.
“This settlement demonstrates the Labor Department’s continued
emphasis on fighting systematic discrimination in the workplace,” said
Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “We are pleased that the women in this
case will receive the $500,00 in wages and opportunities they deserve. The
Department will continue to protect all workers by pursuing those employers
that fail to provide equal employment opportunities.”
The Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance
Programs (OFCCP) found during a compliance review that from October 1, 2001
through September 30, 2002, a total of 240 women were subject to discriminatory
hiring practices. As part of the settlement, Monrovia Nursery will distribute
$132,798 in back pay and lost medical benefits to the 240 rejected female
applicants. In addition, the company agreed to hire 27 of the applicants,
paying them a total of $379,080 in annualized salary. Monrovia Nursery will
also revise its hiring and selection procedures to preclude future
discrimination against female applicants. The total monetary settlement in this
case is $511,878.
OFCCP, an agency of the Labor Department’s Employment Standards
Administration, enforces Executive Order 11246 and other laws that prohibit
employment discrimination by federal contractors. The agency monitors federal
contractors to ensure that they provide equal employment opportunities without
regard to race, gender, color, religion, national origin, disability or
veterans’ status.
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