Apple Inc. has agreed to a settlement sum of $25 million which it will pay to the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Immigrant and Employee Rights Section. This decision comes in the wake of accusations of discrimination against U.S. workers that were leveled against the corporation regarding its recruiting and hiring practices.
The company had allegedly favored foreign workers who held temporary visas, selecting them in preference to American workers during its recruitment process. The arrangement with these foreign employees was facilitated through the Program Electronic Review Management (PERM), a labor certification process that is under scrutiny now. The settlement will bring closure to these claims.
For a more in-depth understanding of the matter, legal professionals can access the complete details of the case from the original article published on JD Supra, which can be reached via the following link.
The news forms an important augmentation to the on-going discourse on corporations’ responsibilities in non-discrimination and equal opportunities’ practices in employment. It also throws light on the use and possible misuse of labor certification processes such as PERM.
Law firms and corporate lawyers may want to follow this and similar cases to keep themselves updated on unfolding legal developments and potential implications on corporations’ employment procedures and practices, in addition to reflecting on their clients’ prevailing practices in these areas.