MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced a settlement that mandates PMT Corporation to pay $1,020,000 and furnish other relief after allegations the company violated federal civil rights laws.
PMT, a medical device and equipment manufacturer, allegedly practiced systematic hiring discrimination between Jan. 1, 2007 and late 2010. The company hired 70 individuals as sales representatives, but not one of the applicants was female or older than 40, the charges state.
This alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
"We are extremely pleased to reach the result announced today," said John Hendrickson, EEOC's regional attorney in Chicago. "This litigation has produced important legal decisions, ensuring the protection of women and older workers from discriminatory hiring practices and represents yet another significant example of EEOC's focus on systemic discrimination. The public has benefited because EEOC and PMT were able to sit down and talk with each other and craft a workable resolution in a complex lawsuit. That doesn't always happen. Not all employers are resolved to deal with tough issues and to get on with business."