MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has settled with Minnesota-based Windings Inc. for $19,500, resolving a race discrimination lawsuit.
EEOC charged Windings with violating federal law by allegedly refusing to hire a biracial (African-American and white) candidate, Tommie Kimball, for a vacant position. The company instead hired a white applicant, according to claims.
EEOC notes that Kimball was allegedly qualified for the position, passing all job-related assessments, and that he had previous work experience in a similar role.
Refusing to hire an employee based on race, which allegedly happened in this case, violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
"EEOC is committed to eliminating barriers that prevent African-American applicants from getting hired for jobs that they are qualified for," John Hendrickson, regional attorney for EEOC's Chicago District, said. "This consent decree provides meaningful equitable relief designed to prevent any further race discrimination at Windings."
In addition to monetary relief paid to Kimball, Windings must use hiring procedures to provide equal employment opportunity to all applicants. It needs to post its jobs to its website and not just rely on word-of-mouth recruitment or employee referrals.