Nishimoto Pays $400K to 71 Women In Discrimination Case

Federal contractor Nishimoto Trading Co. will pay $400,000 in back wages and interest to 71 women rejected for sales associate positions at the company’s Santa Fe Springs, Calif.,  facility to settle findings of hiring discrimination, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.

“Those who do business with our government are expected to follow our laws,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “I am pleased the Department of Labor was able to work out a fair settlement with Nishimoto that will guarantee women the right to compete fairly for good jobs.”

Based on a compliance evaluation of the company’s Santa Fe Springs facility conducted by OFCCP’s Los Angeles District Office, investigators determined that Nishimoto failed to ensure qualified job applicants received equal consideration for employment without regard to gender. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Nishimoto will extend job offers to 14 women in the original class as sales associate positions open.

The company agreed to improve training for personnel involved in the selection process. In addition, Nishimoto must undertake extensive self-monitoring measures to ensure that all hiring practices fully comply with the law and immediately correct any discriminatory practices.

Tokyo, Japan-based Nishimoto operates U.S. branch offices in Atlanta, Ga.; Chicago, Ill.; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colo.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Las Vegas, Nev.; Miramar, Fla.; Phoenix, Ariz.; San Diego and San Francisco, Calif.; Seattle, Wash.; Carlstadt, N.J.; and Elkridge, Md.

The company holds federal contracts totaling $1.2 million with the U.S. Department of Defense to sell Asian foods at commissaries.