U.S. Department Of Labor Recovers $300,000 for Pharmacy Technicians As Part of a Settlement Involving Pay Discrimination

DES PLAINES, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor has reached a settlement with Omnicare of Northern Illinois that requires the company to pay $300,000 in back pay and interest to 132 pharmacy technicians of Asian heritage to remedy pay discrimination violations identified at its Des Plaines, Illinois, facility.

The settlement follows a routine compliance evaluation by the Department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), where investigators found that, as of April 1, 2013, Omnicare of Northern Illinois paid Asian employees in pharmacy technician positions less than similarly situated employees.  

"Employers should review their compensation processes to ensure that their employees do not suffer from discriminatory practices," said Carmen Navarro, Acting Regional Director, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs in Chicago. "This settlement demonstrates the U.S. Department of Labor's commitment to combating pay discrimination and holding companies with federal contracts accountable if they fail to ensure equal employment opportunity."

Omnicare of Northern Illinois also agreed to review employee compensation practices and make adjustments as necessary. Other non-monetary forms of relief contained in the settlement include compensation monitoring and Equal Employment Opportunity training for employees.

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/.