ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that J&R Baker Farms of Norman Park, Georgia will pay $205,000 after allegations of national origin and race discrimination.
"Employers have an obligation to provide a fair workplace, without discriminating against workers because of a worker's national origin or race," Bernice Williams-Kimbrough, director of EEOC's Atlanta District Office, said.
Baker Farms allegedly subjected American and African-American workers to disparate terms and conditions of employment based on national origin and/or race. This included segregating buses and work crews, as well as creating different production standards, work assignments and other conditions of work. Additionally, EEOC claims that the company engaged in a practice of eliminating African-American employees in favor of foreign-born employees.
The $205,000 settlement will provide relief for 119 workers. Baker Farms will also need to update its hiring practices and offer equal opportunity training for employees.
"Discrimination claims can arise from simple denial of employment," Lynette Barnes, acting regional attorney for the Atlanta District Office, said. "They can also arise from a pattern or practice of rules, requirements, and policies that disadvantage certain workers because of their race or national origin."