The U.S. Department of Labor filed a federal lawsuit alleging that B&H Photo & Electronics Department, a popular New York electronic store, systematically discriminated against Hispanic employees and female, black and Asian jobseekers at its Brooklyn Navy Yard warehouse.
Although the large electronic retailer claims to “employ[] an incredibly diverse group of people,” an investigation of the retailer’s Brooklyn warehouse by the Department of Labor revealed that
- the warehouse exclusively hired Hispanic men into its entry-level laborer job group, contributing to the complete exclusion of female employees at the warehouse and the near exclusion of black and Asian employees at the facility; and
- B&H promoted and compensated its Hispanic workers at a significantly lower rate than comparable white workers, leading to lower pay, fewer opportunities to advance and a near-total exclusion of Hispanic workers from higher level clerical, managerial and supervisory positions.
The complaint looks to enjoin B&H from discriminating against female, black and Asian individuals in hiring, and discriminating against Hispanic individuals in promotions and compensation; and to require B&H to ensure and maintain a working environment free of unlawful harassment, intimidation or coercion.
Furthermore, the Department of Labor is seeking complete relief for the affected class including lost wages, interest, front wages, salary adjustments, promotions and all other lost benefits of employment and a reform of discriminatory policies.
