US Labor Department, KPMG enter agreement to settle allegations of hiring discrimination at New Jersey office

MOUNTAINSIDE, N.J. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and KPMG, one of the world’s largest auditing firms, have entered into a conciliation agreement to resolve allegations of hiring discrimination.

The agreement with KPMG LLP follows an OFCCP investigation that found from Oct. 1, 2011, to March 31, 2013, the auditing firm discriminated against 60 Asian applicants for associate audit positions at its facility in Short Hills. The agency determined that KPMG’s actions violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color or national origin.

KPMG does not acknowledge any liability. It agreed to pay $420,000 in back pay, interest and benefits to the 60 Asian applicants for associate audit positions. The company will also provide associate audit job opportunities to six affected applicants as positions become available. In addition, KPMG will take steps to ensure its personnel practices, including record-keeping and internal auditing procedures, meet legal requirements.

“Together, the department and KPMG will ensure that this issue is resolved, and that the company has the measures in place to comply with federal hiring and employment law,” said OFCCP Acting Director Thomas Dowd.

The company has contracts valued at more than $14 million with federal agencies including the U.S. departments of Energy, and Housing and Urban Development, as well as NASA and the IRS.

In addition to Executive Order 11246, OFCCP enforces Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. These laws make it illegal for federal contractors and subcontractors to discriminate in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. In addition, contractors and subcontractors are prohibited from discriminating against applicants or employees because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their compensation or that of others, subject to certain limitations. For more information, please call OFCCP’s toll-free helpline at 800-397-6251 or visit http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/.

If you think you may be one of the applicants eligible for back pay or job opportunities from this settlement, or may know someone who is, please visit the OFCCP Class Member Locator at: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/CML. There you will find information about this and other OFCCP settlements.