Global arms manufacturer to pay $630K in back wages, interest to resolve alleged hiring discrimination in Mississippi

OXFORD, MS – Olin Corp., one of the world’s leading small arms and ammunition makers has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor in which the employer will pay $630,000 in back wages and interest to resolve alleged hiring discrimination against 286 Black and women applicants who applied for positions over two years at its Oxford facility.

A routine compliance investigation of Olin Corp. by the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs alleged that from Dec. 9, 2017, through Dec. 9, 2019, the federal contractor violated Executive Order 11246 when hiring for Adjuster II positions. The order prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Olin Corp. entered into an early resolution conciliation agreement and agreed to take steps to make sure its selection process, personnel practices and hiring policies are free from discrimination. The employer will also offer jobs to 46 Black and female-affected applicants as positions become available.

“Federal contractors must ensure there is no discrimination in their employment practices,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Southeast Regional Director Aida Collins in Atlanta. 

Based in Clayton, Missouri, Olin Corp. supplies small arms ammunition to the Department of the Air Force and other federal agencies. The company employs about 8,000 people in more than 20 countries on six continents. 

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 affected, 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.