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ESA News Release: [04/10/2003]
Contact Name: Yvonne Ralsky
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676

Labor Department Signs Settlement Agreement with Jimmy Dean Foods that Will Benefit 48 Female Job Applicants

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that is has entered into a settlement agreement with Jimmy Deans Foods, a division of Sara Lee Corporation. The settlement resolves the department’s allegations that Jimmy Dean Foods discriminated against female applicants for laborer jobs at its Newbern, Tenn. meat-processing plant.

Under the settlement agreement, Jimmy Dean Foods will hire 48 female applicants and pay more than $240,000 in back pay. The value of the settlement agreement for the female job applicants who are hired, in terms of annual earnings, is more than $900,000.

“This settlement reflects the Department of Labor’s enforcement emphasis on fighting injustice at the workplace,” said U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “We will continue to protect workers by aggressively pursuing employers who tolerate discriminatory practices.”

The hiring discrimination allegations against Jimmy Dean Foods arose out of a compliance review conducted by the Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) beginning in September, 2000.

The OFCCP enforces laws and executive orders that require federal contractors to provide equal employment opportunity for women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans. More information is available on the Web at www.dol.gov/esa/ofccp.

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