Bimbo Bakeries will pay $131K to resolve alleged hiring discrimination identified in US Department of Labor audit of Nebraska baking plant

BELLEVUE, NE – A company known for baking some of the nation’s leading brands will pay $131,216 in back pay and interest to 134 qualified female 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 at a Bellevue, Nebraska baking facility.

A compliance review conducted by OFCCP found that – from Jan. 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 – Bimbo Bakeries USA Inc. discriminated against female applicants who applied to work as bakers and loaders, positions which are classified as jobbers. The agency determined that the company’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.

“Federal contractors who fail to give equal consideration to all applicants – regardless of gender – violate the law,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Regional Director Carmen Navarro in Chicago. “By entering into a federal contract, an employer agrees to ensure equal opportunity for all workers and compliance with all federal employment laws. The U.S. Department of Labor will act when they fail to do so.”

While denying the allegations, Bimbo also agreed to offer jobs to seven female applicants and provide training to managers, supervisors and other company officials who oversee hiring decisions to ensure its hiring policies and procedures are free from discrimination.

A subsidiary of Bimbo Bakeries USA Inc. based in Horsham, Pennsylvania, the Nebraska facility has contracts for services with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Defense Logistics Agency, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, among other government agencies. Bimbo is known by its many brand names, including Sara Lee, Arnold, Entenmann’s, Thomas’, Beefsteak, Freihofer’s, Nature’s Harvest and Boboli.

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 who applied for a position with Bimbo Bakeries, learn more about this and other settlements. Learn more about OFCCP.