U.S. Department Of Labor Resolves Disability Discrimination at Pacific Architects and Engineers’ Missouri Facility

KANSAS CITY, MO – The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has reached a settlement with Pacific Architects and Engineers – based in Arlington, Virginia – requiring the company to pay $21,507 in back pay and interest after an investigation found the company discriminated against a hearing impaired employee at its Lee's Summit, Missouri facility.

OFCCP's complaint investigation found the individual was unable to start a clerk's position from his date of hire in January 2018 until October 2018, because the employer failed to provide an American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter to assist the employee with training.

"This settlement demonstrates the U.S. Department of Labor's commitment to combatting discrimination against individuals with disabilities." said OFCCP Acting Regional Director for the Midwest Carmen Navarro. "Employers engaged in federal contracting must commit to equal employment opportunity, and the high workplace standards it entails."

Pacific Architects and Engineers also agreed to review reasonable accommodation practices and make adjustments as necessary. Other non-monetary forms of relief contained in the settlement include monitoring and evaluating their reasonable accommodation policies and practices and reasonable accommodation training going forward.

Pacific Architects and Engineers is a defense and government services contractor that maintains government financial systems and safeguards government information systems for multiple federal government customers.

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/.