In California and elsewhere, hiring discrimination is illegal. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission has confirmed that a settlement claim has been reached in a case involving discrimination against an African American job seeker. Purportedly, federal employment regulators have come to an agreement with JB Hunt Transport, Inc. addressing the issue of employment discrimination.
According to the EEOC, the African American job hunter was turned down for a truck driving position with JB Hunt in the year 2009. The job candidate was denied employment based on a prior criminal conviction. The EEOC maintains that the job seeker’s criminal conviction had nothing to do with workplace performance. JB Hunt Transport , Inc. has agreed to a conciliation agreement, scheduled for five years. The agreement includes additional training on hiring practices and monitoring by federal authorities.
The alleged victim in this discrimination case has purportedly also reached a private settlement with the trucking company. Federal regulators recommend that employers take time to evaluate the gravity and nature of any criminal offense prior to disqualifying any job applicant. It is also recommended that employers take the amount of time that has passed since the criminal conviction into account before making a decision.
Unfortunately, discrimination of all kinds is alive and well in the United States. Employment discrimination is no exception. California residents who feel they’ve been victimized by discrimination may find benefit in seeking support from qualified legal counsel. In cases like this, understanding one’s rights can go a long way toward securing justice.
Source: dailyjournal.net, “Race discrimination suit settled with major trucking company in California,” June 28, 2013