Verona's Daikin to pay $100,000 for alleged race-based discrimination
VERONA — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has entered into a conciliation agreement with Daikin Industries to resolve alleged race-based hiring discrimination affecting Black applicants at its Verona facility.
Pursuant to the agreement, Daikin Industries will pay $100,000 in back wages and interest to 98 Black applicants. Daikin will also extend three job offers to identified class members.
“Federal contractors that accept taxpayer funds to fulfill contracts know that equal employment opportunity and compliance with federal regulations are non-negotiable,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Regional Director Samuel B. Maiden in Philadelphia. “The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs will make certain the issues raised in this compliance evaluation are resolved and that Daikin Industries puts procedures in place to safeguard the process for future applicants.”
A routine compliance review by OFCCP found Daikin Industries LTD discriminated against 98 Black applicants for assembler positions at its Daikin Applied Verona facility from Jan. 1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2020.
OFCCP determined that Daikin Industries 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.
Daikin Industries LTD is a multinational company based in Japan with U.S. headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company has contracts with the General Services Administration to provide federal agencies with air conditioning, heating and ventilation.
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 assembler jobs at Daikin Industries during the investigative period, please use OFCCP’s Class Member Locator to learn more about this 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.
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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Verona's Daikin to pay $100,000 for alleged race-based discrimination
