While passing the verdict, the US Department of Labor Administrative Law Judge Linda Chapman said that the bank applied unfair and inconsistent selection criterion. Subsequently, many qualified African-American applicants were denied teller and entry-level clerical and administrative positions.
The order will put an end on the case that has spanned nearly two decades, during which Bank of America repeatedly challenged the authority of the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).
As per the judge’s ruling, the bank will reimburse $964,033 to 1,034 applicants who were rejected jobs during 1993, and pay $1,217,560 to 113 applicants refused between 2002 and 2005.
Moreover, the bank will have to extend job offers, with appropriate seniority, to 10 class members as positions become available, as per the order.
The case stems out, when OFCCP launched a routine compliance review on 24 November 1993 that revealed indications of systemic hiring discrimination affecting African American job seekers.
