Arthur Grand Technologies Faces Penalties
A Virginia-based IT services company, Arthur Grand Technologies, has been fined $38,500 for a job advertisement that sought only white, US-born applicants. The US Department of Justice announced the penalty, stating the ad violated federal civil rights and labor laws.
Disgruntled recruiter behind the discriminatory ad
The controversial job posting, which appeared on the job-hunting website Indeed in March 2023, was traced back to a recruiter from Arthur Grand’s Indian subsidiary. The Justice Department indicated the ad was intended to embarrass the company. The advertisement specified a Salesforce business analyst role and stated, “Only Born US Citizens [White] who are local within 60 miles from Dallas, TX [Don’t share with candidates].”
Financial penalties and compensation
Arthur Grand Technologies will pay $7,500 in civil penalties to the US Treasury and $31,000 in compensation to individuals who filed complaints. The company has served federal and commercial clients since 2012.
US Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke condemned the job posting as “shameful,” and Michele Hodge, the acting director of federal contract compliance at the US Labor Department, emphasized that companies with federal contracts cannot engage in discriminatory hiring practices.
Mandatory training and policy revisions
As part of the settlement, Arthur Grand Technologies is required to train its employees on the US Immigration and Nationality Act, which prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin. The company must also revise its employment policies and undergo monitoring by the Justice Department.
Company denies wrongdoing
In a statement to CNN, Arthur Grand Technologies’ CEO Sheik Rahmathullah denied any wrongdoing, attributing the ad to an upset employee on a Performance Improvement Plan. Rahmathullah stated, “We took immediate and decisive action to ensure that this type of incident will never happen again, including the immediate termination of the responsible employee.”
