Clougherty Packing Company, a Los Angeles area meatpacker, recently agreed to pay almost $440,000 to approximately 2,000 women for allegations of gender discrimination.  The women had applied for various jobs cutting, packaging, and slicing meat products between 2007 and 2009, but allegedly had their applications rejected.  Federal officials also said that the company offered hundreds of jobs to women in addition to the monetary settlement.  The United States Department of Labor announced the settlement in a December 18 news release on their website.

Clougherty Packing is a subsidiary of Hormel Food Corporation; compliance officers from the DOL’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs investigated the allegations, finding that between 2007 and 2009, Clougherty violated Executive Order 11246, and that women were discriminated against in the hiring process.  Most of the women who were involved in the sex discrimination case were Latinas.  In addition to the settlement and offering jobs to approximately 700 of the women involved in the suit as they become available, Clougherty agreed to ensure their hiring practices fully comply with the law by undergoing extensive self-monitoring measures.

Hormel said in a statement that, “We strongly deny any wrongdoing and reiterate our commitment to a discrimination-free workplace for our employees.”  The company went on to say that it believed that in order for the meat packing facility to move forward with business, settling with the women was the correct thing to do.  Hormel’s compliance program director said that American values are reflected in the company’s products, and that those values extend into jobs, that the company is a fair place to work.  Hormel does not acknowledge wrongdoing in the suit.

At the Law Offices of Spotora & Associates, we realize that employers often face discrimination charges not only by women, but often by men, gays, and those who feel they are being discriminated against because of age, race, or religion.  Our Los Angeles employment attorneys are well versed in all areas of employment law, and ready to provide your company with effective legal representation.  Let us work to ensure your company is protected against such liability, so that you are not the next employer facing costly litigation.