U.S. Department of Labor Reaches Agreement with Baker & Taylor to Resolve Allegations of Hiring Discrimination Found at Illinois Facility

MOMENCE, IL - The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a conciliation agreement with Baker & Taylor LLC to resolve allegations of race and gender-based hiring discrimination against Black and male applicants at the company’s Momence, Illinois, distribution facility. While not admitting liability in the investigation, Baker & Taylor LLC agreed to pay $127,375 in back pay and interest to 42 applicants to resolve alleged hiring discrimination at its Momence, Illinois, facility.

Preliminary findings during an Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program (OFCCP) routine compliance evaluation found hiring disparities from Jan. 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017, against Black applicants for order picker positions and against male applicants for processing clerk positions. OFCCP alleges that the federal contractor’s actions violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

“The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to resolving discrimination issues and ensuring equal opportunity,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Regional Director Carmen Navarro, in Chicago. “Baker & Taylor’s cooperation in resolving these issues will ensure it is in compliance with federal hiring and equal employment opportunity laws.”

Baker & Taylor LLC also agreed to evaluate its personnel practices - including recordkeeping and internal auditing procedures - at its Momence distribution center to ensure future compliance. Baker & Taylor is a subsidiary of the Follett Corp. that provides books and other educational products to libraries, schools and higher education institutions.

If you think you may be eligible for back pay from this settlement or may know someone who is, please visit OFCCP’s Class Member Locator at https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/CML.

OFCCP enforces Executive Order 11246, 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, and may not retaliate against applicants or employees for engaging in protected activities. These laws also require that federal contractors provide equal employment opportunity through affirmative action. For more information, please call OFCCP’s toll-free helpline at 800-397-6251 or visit https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.