After a routine compliance evaluation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Time Warner Cable LCC – a large telecommunications company – and the department have entered into an early resolution conciliation agreement. As a result, the company will pay $745,000 in back wages and interest to resolve hiring discrimination violations found at three company facilities. Time Warner Cable did not admit any wrongdoing.
OFCCP’s preliminary findings showed Time Warner Cable discriminated against African Americans and women applying for sales representative, direct sales trainee and inbound telesales positions. The alleged practices occurred at the Time Warner facilities in Charlotte and Morrisville, North Carolina and West Columbia, South Carolina.
“This agreement ensures Time Warner Cable takes action to remedy discrimination, and proactively adopts practices that prevent it from happening again at any of its facilities,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Southeast Regional Director Sam Maiden, in Atlanta, Georgia.
“OFCCP is satisfied that Time Warner Cable will pursue an early resolution conciliation agreement, and proactively address hiring and compensation equity nationwide,” said Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Craig E. Leen. “OFCCP’s Early Resolution Procedures program helps ensure prompter and broader relief for America’s workforce by allowing contractors facing a potential violation to proactively correct such violations and enact best practices to ensure future companywide compliance.”
In November 2018, OFCCP launched an effort to resolve supply and service compliance evaluations at the earliest stage possible with corporate-wide compliance and issued a directive establishing early resolution procedures. Time Warner Cable is one of the first federal contractors to volunteer for the program.
If you think you may be one of the applicants eligible for back pay or job opportunities from this settlement, or may know someone who is, please visit the OFCCP Class Member Locator for information about this, and other OFCCP settlements.
In addition to Executive Order 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, make it illegal for contractors and subcontractors doing business with the federal government to discriminate in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. In addition, contractors and subcontractors are prohibited from discriminating against applicants or employees because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their compensation or the compensation of others subject to certain limitations. For more information, please call OFCCP’s toll-free helpline at 800-397-6251 or visit https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/.