U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and federal contractor Nash Finch Col have settled allegations of hiring discrimination against female job prospects at the company's Lumberton, N.C., distribution facility.
As part of the settlement, Nash Finch Co. is to pay $188,500 in back wages and interest to 84 women after they were turned down for the entry-level position of order selector.
"I am glad we were able to achieve a fair resolution in this case," says Solicitor of Labor M. Patricia Smith. "Our economy cannot afford to lose the skills and talents of millions of American women who count on us to enforce equal opportunity laws so that they can find good jobs without fear of discrimination."
Recommended For You
Following a review by OFCCP investigators from May 1, 2005, to Dec. 31, 2006, it was determined that Nash Finch did not ensure qualified female job applicants were given equal consideration for employment without regard to sex, which is mandated under Executive Order 11246. OFCCP filed a complaint with the Labor Department's Office of Administrative Law Judges Nov. 30, 2010, that stated Nash Finch systematically discriminated against these women for a nine-month period in 2006.
"Our government relies on thousands of private companies to produce the goods and provide the services that we depend on to do our jobs," says OFCCP Director Patricia A. Shiu. "It is in everyone's best interest that contractors like Nash Finch succeed. But, for federal contractors, success is not measured solely by performing a task or providing a service. True success means that, as required by law, every qualified worker has a fair shot at jobs funded by taxpayer dollars."
Along with the financial settlement, Nash Finch must offer jobs to up to 12 women in the original class as these positions are made available, and it is required to submit progress reports to OFCCP for the next two years. For women who applied and were rejected for order selector positions at Nash Finch's Lumberton facility between March 1 and Dec. 31, 2006, they could be eligible to receive back wages, interest and job opportunities in this settlement. Nash Finch is to attempt to contact all class members to outline this.
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
