U.S. Department of Labor Recovers More Than $2.9 Million To Resolve Alleged Pay Discrimination Violations at Dell EMC

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor has reached a settlement with Dell EMC that requires the company to pay more than $2.9 million in back wages to remedy alleged pay discrimination violations at four Dell EMC locations in California and North Carolina. Headquartered in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Dell EMC is a federal contractor providing computing, networking, and data storage solutions.  

The settlement follows routine compliance evaluations by the Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) that found, beginning in 2014, Dell EMC systemically discriminated against females in engineering, marketing, and sales roles at its Pleasanton, California, facility and females in engineering and manufacturing roles at its Santa Clara, California, facility. OFCCP investigators found that the company paid women and African Americans in engineering roles at its Durham, North Carolina, facility less than white males. Investigators also found that the company paid African American females in manufacturing roles in Apex, North Carolina, less than white males.

“The Department of Labor appreciates Dell EMC’s cooperation to resolve these issues,” said OFCCP National Director Ondray Harris. “Together, we will ensure that the company complies with equal employment opportunity laws in its compensation practices.”

In its conciliation agreement with OFCCP, Dell EMC denies liability but will pay more than $2.9 million in back pay and interest to the affected class members. The company will also make pay adjustments, and take steps to ensure its pay practices meet legal requirements. 

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, as amended, make it illegal for contractors and subcontractors doing business with the federal government 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 the compensation of others subject to certain limitations. For more information, please call OFCCP’s toll-free helpline at 800-397-6251 or visit https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/.