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.

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.

It was known years ago that workers for B&H filed a lawsuit because they complained that the warehouse that they were working in to ship photo gear " had no windows . " The workers said they were working in sweat-shop like conditions .
I smell a rat .
Lawyers getting rich .
Discrimination on top of that ? That's a slam dunk .
Sounds to me like they bilked B&H out of 3 million by using quotas as their case .
This story sounds all too familiar .
I continue to buy from B&H as I have since 1972 .

The allegations, although unproven, serve to remind us that even the best run companies that we all hold in very high esteem can make mistakes. The settlement and agreements to improve labour practices are the proper ways to resolve the matter brought by the US DofL. It is unfortunate that the owners and managers of B&H appear to have violated labour laws and practices, especially given their origins - but more importantly, they may have violated the principles of "derech eretz". We should support their willingness to admit their wrongs and learn how to behave towards others from the negative examples detailed in the allegations. Shabbat Shalom.

This Charlottsville incident was promarily a clash between the KKK , neo-Nazi's and ANTIFA . They share something in common . Most don't work and live at home . Both are immature individuals with little regard for consequence . Trump condemned them all . But the media decided they could get him on this . Nice try . It's failing just like the Russian witch hunt . So called Journalists reporting this story are focused on one thing and it's embassingly transparent . If Trump cured Cancer they would find fault in that . And this is why he will easily win reelection in 2020 . People with common sense have had it with rhetorical emotion . How can you possibly blame this incident and tragedy on Trump ? Absolute desperation .

The psychological effect of this litigation with the Feds will have a long term effect on the overall performance of B&H. Obviously they won't go anywhere but there will be little things within the day to day that will effect certain areas of their business. I will wait and see.