Germany-based shipping and logistics company DHL has agreed to pay $8.7 million to settle allegations that it discriminated against Black employees, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced Thursday.
The agency said DHL was accused of discriminating against black employees because they were allocated routes in neighborhoods with higher crime rates, black employees were given heavier dock work and were given less time than their white counterparts. There was a need to carry heavy packages.
The EEOC initially sued DHL in federal court in Chicago in 2010 on behalf of one employee, and the number grew to 83 employees, 20 of whom were represented by private counsel.
In addition to the monetary remedy, DHL must train its workforce on federal laws prohibiting racial discrimination and provide reports to EEOC Commissioner Leslie Silverman and the agency documenting work assignments and racial discrimination complaints.
Representatives of the parties did not respond to requests for comment.
