Dallas, Texas – A U.S. technology company has reached a settlement with the federal government following a discriminatory job advertisement that specified only “white” people born in the U.S. should apply.
The Justice Department announced that Arthur Grand, an IT services firm specializing in government contracts, will pay a civil penalty of $7,500 and make changes to its hiring practices. The company came under fire for a job posting in March 2023 that limited eligible candidates to “only US Born Citizens [white] who are local within 60 miles from Dallas, TX.”
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division expressed outrage over the discriminatory job posting, condemning the use of “whites only” and “only US born” requirements in the 21st century. Arthur Grand has not responded to requests for comment.
According to the company, the controversial job posting was created by a recruiter based in India who was described as “disgruntled” and seeking to embarrass the firm. Arthur Grand denied authorizing the posting or having the intention to deter non-U.S. citizens from applying.
In addition to the settlement with the Justice Department, Arthur Grand has also signed an agreement with the Department of Labor. The investigation was conducted by the Justice Department’s Immigrant and Employee Rights division.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges of discrimination in the workplace, particularly in the recruitment and hiring processes. It serves as a reminder of the need for companies to uphold non-discriminatory practices and ensure equal opportunities for all job candidates.
Moving forward, Arthur Grand is expected to implement changes to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The settlement serves as a wake-up call for companies to prioritize diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices, reflecting the values of a fair and inclusive workplace for all individuals.