WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced its Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs will begin accepting online submissions on April 1 from covered contractors to certify they have developed and maintained affirmative action programs for each establishment or functional unit.

Existing federal contractors and subcontractors must use the OFCCP’s Contractor Portal to complete their certification for the third annual cycle by July 1, 2024. Contractors under the agency’s jurisdiction that meet certain contract dollar and employee thresholds are required to develop and maintain affirmative action programs and certify their compliance annually. 

Affirmative action requirements ensure that applicants and employees of federal contractors have equal employment opportunity without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Learn more about OFCCP’s Contractor Portal.

BOSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has entered into a conciliation agreement with GE Aerospace to resolve alleged hiring discrimination affecting females who applied for work with the manufacturer at its Rutland, Vermont, facility. 

A routine compliance review conducted by OFCCP for the period from Aug. 1, 2018, to Jan. 31, 2020, found that GE Aerospace discriminated against female applicants for manufacturing operations associate positions. The agency determined GE Aerospace violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

To resolve the allegations, GE Aerospace, formerly known as GE Aviation, will pay $443,000 in back pay and interest to 116 unsuccessful female applicants and extend 14 job opportunities to female applicants for the position. In addition, the employer has committed to providing workplace specific training for all company employees involved in recruiting, selecting, or tracking expressions of interest for open positions. As well as training on evaluating their selection procedures to help ensure equal access in hiring.

“Ensuring equal opportunity during the hiring process is important and required under the law,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Acting Northeast Regional Director Samuel Maiden. “By entering into a conciliation agreement, GE Aerospace is showing its commitment to meeting those standards by eliminating hiring barriers for women.”

An operating division of General Electric Co., GE Aerospace provides jet engines, components and integrated systems for the U.S. Air Force. 

View the conciliation agreement.

OFCCP enforces  Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. These laws require that federal contractors provide equal employment opportunity through affirmative action.

If you think you may be a class member who applied for or was interested in a manufacturing operations associate position at GE Aerospace in Rutland during the review period, please check OFCCP’s Class Member Locator to see who may be entitled to monetary relief and/or consideration for job placement as a result of OFCCP’s compliance review.

Learn more about OFCCP.

PITTSBURGH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has entered into a conciliation agreement with Michael Baker International Inc. to resolve allegations of pay discrimination against female employees in the engineering functional unit.

A routine compliance review by OFCCP alleged that beginning Jan. 1, 2020, the employer paid female professionals in its engineering unit less than male workers in similar positions. 

These actions violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment decisions based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

In addition to paying $122,299 n back wages and interest, Michael Baker International also agreed to:

• Conduct compensation analysis for the affected group.
• Make salary adjustments if any significant pay disparities are found based on gender.
• Review and revise its overall compensation system.
• Provide enhanced training to managers to ensure future compliance.

“The conciliation agreement with Michael Baker International demonstrates the Department of Labor’s continued efforts to bridge gender wage gaps and successfully achieve pay equality for women,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Regional Director Samuel B. Maiden in Philadelphia.

Michael Baker International Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, is a provider of engineering and consulting services that offers infrastructure solutions and holds federal contracts with the General Services Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Defense.

In addition to Executive Order 11246, OFCCP enforces Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. These laws, as amended, prohibit federal contractors and subcontractors from discrimination in employment because of disability or status as a protected veteran.

Learn more about OFCCP. 

DANVILLE, KY – A Kentucky furniture manufacturer has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor in which the employer will pay $132,500 in back wages and interest to 201 applicants for product assembly positions to resolve alleged hiring discrimination at its Danville location. 

The routine compliance review of National Office Furniture Inc. by the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs alleged that from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2020, the employer’s hiring practices violated Executive Order 11246 and discriminated against the affected women applicants. Federal law forbids federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. 

OFCCP’s review led National Office Furniture Danville to enter into an early resolution conciliation agreement in which the employer will take steps to ensure its selection process, personnel practices and hiring policies are free from discrimination and that its recordkeeping methods meet legal requirements. The employer will also offer jobs to 15 affected women applicants as positions become available.

“Federal contractors must ensure their employment practices are free of discrimination. They must also provide all applicants with equal employment opportunities and audit their processes to make certain no barriers to equal employment exist,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Southeast Regional Director Aida Collins in Atlanta. “By reaching this agreement, National Office Furniture Danville is demonstrating its commitment to resolving the allegations and ensuring the employer provides equal employment opportunities.” 

National Office Furniture Danville is a subsidiary of Kimball International Inc., which provides office furniture to several federal agencies, including the FBI, General Services Administration and the U.S. Secret Service.

If you think you may be a class member affected, use OFCCP’s class member locator to learn more about this and other settlements. Learn more about OFCCP, or call 800-397-6251.

OFCCP enforces Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974.

MIAMI – The U.S. Department of Labor has entered in a conciliation agreement with a global distributor of inventory solutions for aerospace original equipment manufacturers to resolve allegations of hiring discrimination affecting more than 100 Black and white job applicants at a Doral work site.

The agreement follows a routine compliance review by the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs that found — from Aug. 23, 2016 to Aug. 23, 2018 — KLX Inc. allegedly discriminated against 113 Black and 16 white applicants for material handler I positions. The agency determined the actions violated Executive Order 11246, which forbids federal contractors from discriminating in employment. 

To resolve the allegations, Boeing Distribution Services Inc. – which acquired KLX Inc. in October 2018 and did not own KLX Inc. during the timeframe reviewed – entered into an early resolution conciliation agreement in which the employer will pay $402,500 in back wages and interest to the affected job applicants; ensure its selection process, personnel practices and hiring policies are free from discrimination; and make certain its recordkeeping methods meet legal requirements. Boeing will also offer jobs to 11 Black and white affected applicants as positions become available.

“The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to resolving discrimination issues and ensuring equal opportunity,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Southeast Regional Director Aida Collins in Atlanta.

Boeing Distribution Services Inc. is a global distributor of full-service inventory solutions for aerospace original equipment manufacturers and holds contracts for several federal agencies, including NASA and the U.S. Air Force.

OFCCP launched the Class Member Locator to identify applicants or workers who may be entitled to monetary relief and/or consideration for job placement as a result of OFCCP’s compliance evaluations and complaint investigations. If you think you may be a member of the affected class at Boeing Distribution Services Inc. during the investigative period, please use OFCCP’s Class Member Locator to learn more about these and other settlements.

In addition to EO 11246, OFCCP enforces Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. These laws, as amended, prohibit federal contractors and subcontractors from discrimination in employment because of disability or status as a protected veteran.

Learn more about OFCCP. 

OXFORD, MS – Olin Corp., one of the world’s leading small arms and ammunition makers has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor in which the employer will pay $630,000 in back wages and interest to resolve alleged hiring discrimination against 286 Black and women applicants who applied for positions over two years at its Oxford facility.

A routine compliance investigation of Olin Corp. by the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs alleged that from Dec. 9, 2017, through Dec. 9, 2019, the federal contractor violated Executive Order 11246 when hiring for Adjuster II positions. The order prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Olin Corp. entered into an early resolution conciliation agreement and agreed to take steps to make sure its selection process, personnel practices and hiring policies are free from discrimination. The employer will also offer jobs to 46 Black and female-affected applicants as positions become available.

“Federal contractors must ensure there is no discrimination in their employment practices,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Southeast Regional Director Aida Collins in Atlanta. 

Based in Clayton, Missouri, Olin Corp. supplies small arms ammunition to the Department of the Air Force and other federal agencies. The company employs about 8,000 people in more than 20 countries on six continents. 

OFCCP launched the Class Member Locator to identify applicants or workers who may be entitled to monetary relief and/or consideration for job placement as a result of OFCCP’s compliance evaluations and complaint investigations. If you think you may be a class member affected, use OFCCP’s Class Member Locator to learn more about this and other settlements. Learn more about OFCCP, or call 800-397-6251.

OFCCP enforces Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974.

HOUSTON, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has entered into a conciliation agreement with Allied Universal, one of the world’s largest security and facility services providers, to resolve alleged systemic race-based hiring discrimination at a Houston facility operated by one of its subsidiaries. 

The agreement follows a routine compliance evaluation of G4S Secure Solutions, which the company acquired in 2021, by the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs that alleged — from Jan. 1, 2016, through Dec. 31, 2017 — the federal contractor’s hiring practices violated Executive Order 11246 by discriminating against 1,459 Black applicants for security officer positions. 

Allied Universal has agreed to pay $411,000 in back wages to 1,459 unsuccessful Black applicants and to revise its recruiting and selection procedures to make sure its personnel practices comply with federal regulations. The employer will also extend job opportunities to 28 affected Black applicants in Houston. Federal law forbids federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. 

“Our agreement with Allied Universal will resolve alleged violations found in a routine compliance audit of G4S Secure Solutions and compensate affected job applicants,” explained Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Acting Regional Director Jane Suhr for the Southwest and Rocky Mountain Region. “The company will also make certain its future hiring practices fulfill the requirements in federal employment.”

During OFCCP’s evaluation period, the company had contracts with the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board.

After a separate federal investigation into the company’s pay practices, the department’s Wage and Hour Division found Allied Universal automatically deducted time for meal breaks when security officers were often required to work through all or some of them. The investigation recovered nearly $1.1 million in back wages and damages for 778 employees and led to a nationwide enhanced agreement to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act’s overtime and recordkeeping provisions.

Founded in 1957 as Allied Security, Allied Universal now operates in about 90 countries and employs about 800,000 people globally. The company has corporate headquarters in Irvine, California; and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania; and provides security personnel, monitoring equipment, response units and secure prisoner transportation.

OFCCP launched the Class Member Locator to identify applicants or workers who may be entitled to monetary relief and/or consideration for job placement as a result of OFCCP’s compliance evaluations and complaint investigations. If you think you may be a class member for G4S Secure Solutions, please visit the OFCCP website to learn more about this and other settlements.

OFCCP enforces Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974.

MIAMI – One of the country’s largest public universities has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor in which the employer will pay $575,000 in back wages and interest to resolve alleged pay discrimination identified in a routine compliance review.

The review of Florida International University by the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs alleged that, from Aug. 1, 2017, to Aug. 1, 2018, the university paid 163 women employees less than men in similar positions. The institution’s failure violated Executive Order 11246, which forbids federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. 

“Employers that hold federal contracts must provide all employees with equal employment opportunities and audit their employment processes to make certain no barriers to equal employment exist,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Southeast Regional Director Aida Collins in Atlanta. “We appreciate that Florida International University worked cooperatively with the Department of Labor to resolve our concerns.” 

In addition to paying back wages and damages, the employer agreed to set aside $125,000 for future pay equity adjustments and other pay equity-related activities and to take steps to make sure its compensation practices and policies are free from discrimination. Florida International University entered into an early resolution conciliation agreement to resolve the allegations.

The university provides educational, basic research, research and development, consulting and security services to the federal government. It also holds contracts with the Department of Defense, the Agency for International Development, Department of Commerce, Department of Health and Human Services and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 

Florida International University is a multi-campus, public university serving South Florida that emphasizes research as a major component in the university’s mission. With a student body of more than 55,000, FIU is among the top 10 largest universities in the nation.

If you think you may be a class member affected, use OFCCP’s Class Member Locator to learn more about this and other settlements. Learn more about OFCCP, or call 800-397-6251.

OFCCP enforces Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974.

NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has entered into a conciliation agreement with Pfizer Inc. to resolve alleged compensation discrimination affecting female employees at the federal contractor’s New York City headquarters.

A compliance review conducted by OFCCP covered the period from Jan. 1, 2015, to Dec. 31, 2016, and found that beginning on Jan. 1, 2015, Pfizer discriminated against 86 females in professional positions. These actions violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment decisions based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Under the agreement, Pfizer will pay $2 million in back wages and interest to the affected female employees, set aside a separate $500,000 reserve required for future salary adjustments and do the following:

• Conduct compensation analysis for the affected groups.
• Make salary adjustments if any significant pay disparities are found based on gender.
• Review and revise its overall compensation system.
• Provide enhanced training to its managers to ensure future compliance.

“Our conciliation agreement with Pfizer signifies OFCCP’s efforts to bridge gender wage gaps and successfully achieve pay equality for women in the nation’s workforce,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Acting Director Michele Hodge.

Pfizer, an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation headquartered in New York City with research and development laboratories in Groton, Connecticut, has federal contracts with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense for large scale production of Covid-19 vaccines.

If you think you may be a class member affected, use OFCCP’s Class Member Locator to learn more about this and other settlements. Learn more about OFCCP, or call 800-397-6251.

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs enforces Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. For more information, call the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs toll-free helpline at 800-397-6251. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has entered into a conciliation agreement with US Foods Inc. to resolve alleged hiring discrimination at the food distributor's five locations in New Jersey, New York, Ohio and North Carolina.

Pursuant to the agreement, US Foods will pay over $721,414 in back wages and interest to 997 female applicants. US Foods will extend job offers to 46 eligible class members and retain a consultant to evaluate its hiring processes. US Foods will also report to OFCCP regularly on its hiring practices.

“Federal contractors like US Foods Inc. must ensure its employment practices comply with all federal laws, particularly those that seek to eliminate gender-based barriers to equal employment,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Acting Director Michele Hodge. “Our compliance reviews have produced agreements that benefit the affected applicants and require US Foods to re-examine its hiring policies.” 

A routine compliance review by OFCCP found that five facilities operated by US Foods Inc. in Perth Amboy, and Swedesboro, New Jersey.; Albany, New York; Cincinnati, Ohio and Charlotte, North Carolina discriminated against female applicants for selector and warehouse positions. The agency’s review of the company’s hiring practices covered the periods from Jan. 1, 2019, to Dec. 31, 2019, in Perth Amboy; from Jan. 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021; in Cincinnati, Swedesboro and Albany; and from Jan. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020, in Charlotte. 

OFCCP determined that the company’s actions violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. 

US Foods has previously entered into agreements for similar alleged violations. In 2021, violations were resolved in Montgomery, Alabama and Bensenville, Illinois. In 2019, similar violations were resolved in Ogden, Utah; Lexington, South Carolina; Port Orange and Tampa, Florida. In 2017, similar violations were resolved in Wixom, Michigan. 

Headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, US Foods Inc. is a subsidiary of US Foods Holding Corp. The company has contracts with many federal departments and agencies, including a $21 million contract with the Department of Defense, and employs about 28,000 people at more than 70 locations. 

OFCCP launched the Class Member Locator to identify applicants or workers who may be entitled to monetary relief and/or consideration for job placement as a result of OFCCP’s compliance evaluations and complaint investigations. If you think you may be a class member who applied for US Foods warehouse positions in Perth Amboy from Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2019; Swedesboro and Albany from Jan. 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021; an order selector position at its Cincinnati facility from Jan. 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021; or a selector position at its Charlotte facility from Jan. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020, please use OFCCP’ s Class Member Locator to learn more about these and other settlements.

In addition to EO 11246, OFCCP enforces Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. These laws, as amended, prohibit federal contractors and subcontractors from discrimination in employment because of disability or status as a protected veteran.

Learn more about OFCCP.