The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that the giant NYC-based photography retailer B&H has agreed to pay $3.22 million to resolve a lawsuit filed by the agency back in February 2016. B&H had faced allegations of discrimination, bias, and harassment.

The settlement, first reported by The Phoblographer, is a “consent decree” between the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and B&H Foto & Electronics Corp. that resolves the allegations.

“The decree settles allegations that B&H Foto discriminated against female as well as black and Asian job seekers by hiring only Hispanic men for entry-level positions,” the Labor Department writes. “In addition, there were allegations that Hispanic shipping workers were paid significantly less than comparable workers and denied promotion to higher level positions.

“There were also allegations that Hispanic workers were routinely subjected to harassing conduct and had unequal access to restroom facilities, and the company failed to take corrective action when confronted with employee complaints.”

B&H serves as a federal contractor and the U.S. Government responded to allegations to ensure that taxpayer money is going to a business that treats its employees fairly.

In addition to paying $3,220,000 in back wages and monetary relief to over 1,300 workers involved in the settlement, B&H will also be hiring a workplace consultant to correct employment practices at its current Brooklyn warehouse and future New Jersey warehouse. Managers will also be receiving annual training on harassment prevention and equal opportunity principles.

B&H Agrees to Settle Outstanding Government Claims: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/bh-agrees-settle-outstanding-government-claims

B&H settled this matter without admitting guilt and in fact continues to deny any guilt. Why did we settle? To put this matter to rest so we could resume normal business operations. As the matter dragged out, lawyers were the only ones really benefiting.

The OFCCP statement included this, from their Regional Solicitor of Labor Jeffrey S. Rogoff.:
“We are pleased that B&H Foto entered into this agreement, and has committed to ensuring that their workers will receive equitable wages and opportunities, and enjoy a workplace that promotes equal employment opportunity.”

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that the giant NYC-based photography retailer B&H has agreed to pay $3.22 million to resolve a lawsuit filed by the agency back in February 2016. B&H had faced allegations of discrimination, bias, and harassment.

The settlement, first reported by The Phoblographer, is a “consent decree” between the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and B&H Foto & Electronics Corp. that resolves the allegations.

“The decree settles allegations that B&H Foto discriminated against female as well as black and Asian job seekers by hiring only Hispanic men for entry-level positions,” the Labor Department writes. “In addition, there were allegations that Hispanic shipping workers were paid significantly less than comparable workers and denied promotion to higher level positions.

“There were also allegations that Hispanic workers were routinely subjected to harassing conduct and had unequal access to restroom facilities, and the company failed to take corrective action when confronted with employee complaints.”

B&H serves as a federal contractor and the U.S. Government responded to allegations to ensure that taxpayer money is going to a business that treats its employees fairly.

In addition to paying $3,220,000 in back wages and monetary relief to over 1,300 workers involved in the settlement, B&H will also be hiring a workplace consultant to correct employment practices at its current Brooklyn warehouse and future New Jersey warehouse. Managers will also be receiving annual training on harassment prevention and equal opportunity principles.

I agree completely. Neo-Nazis and white supremacists are hard-core, life-long, racists. I can't imagine any loyal B&H customers having any kind of rabid loyalty that negates rational thought on that level. Sure, B&H will lose some customers, but I personally feel encouraged by this change of events. Whatever we felt before, we now know for sure that they have an equitable employee policy. We probably make purchases from other favorite companies that we have no idea of their employment practices, but we still buy in gleeful ignorance. Now we actually know that B&H is an improved product, so to speak. It's not going to change my purchasing attitude toward them.

You mean "allegations of discrimination" which is different.

In today's sue-happy society, we are butt-hurt over anything we perceive as a slight on us...we sue at the slightest provocation. It doesn't matter whether the charges are true or not, it matters whether B&H wants to go through the time and money to fight it.

Settlement isn't an admission of guilt, it means they felt that it would be cheaper and smarter to pay out than keep fighting.

Thanks big government looking out for us...now the prices of our gear go up for no reason.