Date: August 10, 2017
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) quoted TELG's Scott Oswald in its online coverage of a high-profile lawsuit against Bass Pro Outdoor World, which agreed to pay $10.5 million to settle an EEOC complaint that it discriminated against Black and Hispanic job applicants.
Quoteworthy:
"One of the most shocking aspects of this case was its scope: The EEOC alleged a pattern of racist hiring that had infected literally dozens of Bass Pro locations across the United States."
R. Scott Oswald
[EXCERPT]
Bass Pro to pay $10.5 million to settle hiring discrimination claims
Bass Pro Outdoor World LLC has agreed to pay $10.5 million to settle an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) race and national origin discrimination lawsuit.
In a 2011 complaint, the EEOC alleged that the national sporting goods retailer engaged in companywide discriminatory hiring practices. The agency asserted that Black and Hispanic job applicants were passed over because of their race or national origin in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Additionally, the EEOC claimed that Bass Pro unlawfully retaliated against workers who opposed such practices and that the retailer failed to adequately follow record-keeping laws and regulations.
Bass Pro didn’t admit to any wrongdoing. “The company is fully committed to the expansion of its ongoing efforts to attract a more diverse workforce,” according to a written statement from Bass Pro.
As part of a consent decree, the company agreed to strengthen its diversity efforts and its commitment to nondiscriminatory hiring practices.
