US Labor Department sues Enterprise Rent-A-Car of Baltimore for racial discrimination against applicants for management trainee
Suit alleges federal contractor’s hiring shows preference for white applicants
A compliance review conducted by the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs found that Enterprise engaged in racially discriminatory hiring practices and failed to maintain personnel and employment records, in violation of Executive Order 11246. The review determined that African-American and white applicants were not treated equally, and that African-American applicants were substantially more likely to be rejected at the initial screening stage and after the first interview. In its suit, the department alleges that the discriminatory hiring continues to the present.
“All workers deserve a fair shot at equal employment opportunities and advancement,” said OFCCP Director Patricia A. Shiu. “Our action against Enterprise highlights our commitment to combatting discrimination against qualified workers.”
Enterprise RAC Company of Baltimore, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Enterprise Holdings Inc., which operates under the Enterprise, National and Alamo rental brands. It is the largest vehicle rental provider in the world measured by revenue, employees and fleet with more than 93,000 employees and 9,000 locations worldwide.
Filed with the department’s Office of Administrative Law Judges, the suit asks the court to:
- Permanently enjoin Enterprise RAC of Baltimore, its successors, officers, agents, servants, employees, divisions and subsidiaries, from failing and refusing to comply with requirements of Executive Order 11246 and OFCCP regulations.
- Require Enterprise RAC of Baltimore to provide complete relief to the affected African-American applicants.
In addition to Executive Order 11246, OFCCP enforces Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended. Collectively, these laws make it illegal for contractors and subcontractors doing business with the federal government to discriminate in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.
In addition, contractors and subcontractors are prohibited from discharging or discriminating against applicants or employees because they have inquired about, discussed or disclosed their compensation or that of others, subject to certain limitations. For more information, call OFCCP’s toll-free helpline at 800-397-6251 or visit http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/.