Louisville eyeglass manufacturer, US Department of Labor agreement resolves alleged discrimination affecting 654 Black, white job applicants

LOUISVILLE, KY – A Louisville-based maker of eyeglasses and other optical goods that allegedly discriminated against 654 Black and white applicants for production positions will pay $227,636 in back wages and interest to the applicants, and make 31 job offers as positions become available.

In a conciliation agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor, Allan Baker Inc. – formerly known as Korrect Optical – also agreed to ensure that its selection process, personnel practices and hiring policies are free from discrimination, and its recordkeeping methods meet legal requirements. Allan Baker Inc. is a federal contractor providing goods and services to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies. 

The actions follow a routine compliance investigation by the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs that found the optical goods manufacturer violated Executive Order 11246 in its hiring for production positions. The OFCCP investigation alleged systemic race-based hiring discrimination affecting job applicants from Oct. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2019, at Allan Baker Inc.’s Louisville optical laboratory.

“Federal contractors’ employment practices must not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Southeast Regional Director Aida Collins in Atlanta. “In reaching this agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor, Allan Baker Inc. demonstrates its commitment to resolving the concerns raised and taking action to ensure they provide equal employment opportunities.”

Allan Baker Inc. manufactures, sells and distributes eyeglasses to optical goods stores in the U.S. The company operates optical laboratories in Louisville and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It also has two retail stores in Louisville, and more than 50 optical goods stores around the nation. 

If you think you may be a class member employed by Allan Baker Inc., formerly known as Korrect Optical, 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.