Another instance of discrimination has resulted in a lawsuit, one that, fortunately, appears close to being resolved. Back in 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Rhode Island’s Department of Corrections “over a discriminatory hiring practices lawsuit.” Now Rhode Island state officials are proposing a settlement.
Another instance of discrimination has resulted in a lawsuit, one that, fortunately, appears close to being resolved. Back in 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Rhode Island’s Department of Corrections “over a discriminatory hiring practices lawsuit.” Now Rhode Island state officials are proposing a settlement.
But who suffered the alleged discriminatory hiring practices, though? Why was the lawsuit filed? Well, according to the Justice Department, they decided to sue due to discrimination “against applicants for entry-level corrections officer jobs.” According to Justice officials, “the practice of having applicants complete written and video tests eliminated 59 percent of black and 67 percent of Hispanic job seekers from 2000 to 2013.” During that same time span, only 33 percent of white applicants were ruled out. To the Justice Department, this was a clear-cut case of discrimination against minority job applicants.
As a result, the lawsuit “sought job offers and back pay for minority applicants that did not meet job qualifications for the 13 year period.”
For now, details of the settlement are still a bit murky. However, a spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office has said that the “final terms of the settlement will be presented before court.” If anything, hopefully this particular case will be a warning to other companies thinking about or currently employing similar discriminatory hiring practices.
Sources:
Rhode Island Proposed Settlement Over Discrimination Lawsuit
Rhode Island proposed settlement over discrimination lawsuit
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