US Foods will pay nearly $160K to resolve alleged hiring discrimination identified in US Department of Labor audit of Illinois distribution center

ROSEMONT, IL – US Foods will pay $159,550 in back pay and interest to 114 female and Black job applicants as part of an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to resolve alleged hiring discrimination found at its Bensenville distribution facility. The company will also offer jobs to 16 applicants.

During a routine compliance evaluation, OFCCP found that Rosemont-based US Foods discriminated against the applicants for selector positions, between January 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019. Executive Order 11246, prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. The company denies the allegations.

US Foods also agreed to take steps to ensure future compliance in its personnel practices, including recordkeeping and internal auditing procedures.

“US Foods has demonstrated its commitment to resolve these matters by making appropriate changes to its hiring process and providing equal employment opportunity,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Regional Director Carmen Navarro in Chicago.

A foodservice distributor, the company has contracts for services with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other government agencies.

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 require that federal contractors provide equal employment opportunity through affirmative action.

OFCCP launched the Class Member Locator to identify applicants or workers who may be entitled to monetary relief and/or consideration for job placement as a result of OFCCP’s compliance evaluations and complaint investigations. If you think you may be a class member employed by US Foods, learn more about this and other settlements. Learn more about OFCCP.