The San Francisco-based Intel Corporation settled with the U.S. Department of Labor earlier this week. They agreed to pay a $5 million settlement for having allowed a select group of their workers to discriminate against its Hispanic, African-American and female employees.
At least $3.5 million of the settlement will be allocated to pay the affected employees’ back wages and related interest. The remaining funds will be used to provide future workers in engineering roles with pay adjustments. These pay increases will be rolled out over the next five years.
Intel issued a statement after the settlement was reached. They acknowledged that they’re happy to put the matter behind them. They also pointed out they started the new year offering pay equality.
Currently, Intel employs mostly Asian and Caucasian men — as do many other companies that operate in the tech industry. African-Americans account for the smallest percentage of Intel’s workforce at just 5%. Hispanics represent only 9% of the company’s employee roster. At least 27% of the workers at Intel are women.
While many companies pay their employees higher wages the konger they work for the company, workers who are employed in similar capacities who have been holding such positions for the same amount of time shouldn’t be receiving different salaries.
It’s illegal in California and in many jurisdictions in the country for individuals to be treated differently in the workplace because of their gender, race, religion or because they belong to other protected classes. If you feel as if your rights have been violated, you should reach out to a discrimination attorney who can advise you of your right to seek compensation for your lost wages and the ill-treatment that you received.