Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina enters agreement with US Department of Labor to resolve alleged hiring discrimination

COLUMBIA, SC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina have entered into a conciliation agreement to resolve allegations that the company systemically discriminated against 117 Black, Hispanic, Asian and multi-racial applicants for a student entry-level training program at its Columbia headquarters.

A routine federal compliance investigation found that – from Sept. 1, 2015 to Aug. 31, 2016 – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina failed to comply with Executive Order 11246 that prohibits race discrimination by federal contractors.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina has agreed to pay $226,484 in back wages, interest and benefits to the affected applicants. The company will also make five job offers to original applicants as positions become available, ensure that its selection processes are free from discrimination and provide training to managers and all staff involved in the student program’s hiring process.

“Federal contractors must ensure that their employment policies and practices provide equal employment opportunity regardless of race,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Midwest Regional Director Carmen Navarro in Chicago. “The U.S. Department of Labor will hold federal contractors accountable when they fail to provide equal employment opportunities to all.”

If you think you may be a class member employed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, use OFCCP’s Class Member Locator to learn more about this and other settlements. Learn more about OFCCP, or call 800-397-6251.

OFCCP enforces Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974.