News Release
US Department of Labor enters agreement with UniFirst Corp. to resolve alleged gender-based pay discrimination at New Jersey location
WHIPPANY, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has entered into a conciliation agreement with UniFirst Corp. to resolve alleged gender-based pay discrimination at its Whippany location.
Pursuant to the agreement, UniFirst Corp. will pay $226,341 in back pay and interest to 48 female production department employees. The company has also agreed to review its policies and practices, including the base salaries of production department employees for compensation disparities.
“The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to combating pay discrimination and making sure federal contractors pay fair compensation to all employees as required by law,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Regional Director Samuel B. Maiden in Philadelphia.
A routine compliance review by OFCCP found that since July 1, 2020, UniFirst Corp. paid female employees in production non-supervisory positions less than their male counterparts.
OFCCP determined that the company’s actions violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, sex, gender identity or national origin.
Headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, UniFirst Corp. has entered into similar conciliation agreements after OFCCP alleged violations in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2017, in Nashua, New Hampshire in 2020 and in New Kensington, Pennsylvania in 2022.
Founded in 1936, UniFirst Corp. provides services under federal contract with the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and other federal agencies. The company employs about 14,000 employees in North America and Europe.
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 member of the affected class at UniFirst during the investigative period, please use OFCCP’s Class Member Locator to learn more about these and other settlements.
In addition to EO 11246, OFCCP enforces Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. These laws, as amended, prohibit federal contractors and subcontractors from discrimination in employment because of disability or status as a protected veteran.
