WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-1888

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COMPANY RESOLVES ALLEGATIONS OF WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION, UNDER JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AGREEMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- A Southern California employment service with more than 30 offices throughout the state, has agreed today to pay more than $11,000 in civil penalties and back pay to settle allegations of immigration related employment discrimination with the Justice Department's Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC).

The out-of-court settlement resolves a charge filed by California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA), in April 1999, alleging that Select Temporaries Inc., based in Oxnard, California, discriminated against Ms. Rosaura Garcia, a permanent resident alien. In its charge, CRLA, which is a former OSC grant recipient, alleged that Select Temporaries refused to accept Garcia's valid resident alien card, which she presented for purposes of completing the hiring process. At that time the company's representative in charge of completing that process told Garcia that her resident alien card was invalid; however, the company representative did not articulate the reason why she felt the card was invalid and Garcia was refused employment. In signing this agreement, Select Temporaries does not admit wrongdoing.

"Not accepting valid employment documents is against the law," said John Trasviña, Special Counsel for OSC. "We are pleased that CRLA took action and brought this case to our attention. Through cooperation and partnerships, we are able to reach victims of discrimination who might not be aware of the services available under federal law."

The Office of Special Counsel was established to ensure that all work-authorized individuals--U.S. citizens and non-citizens alike--are not subject to discrimination in the hiring process because of their national origin or citizenship status. Individuals seeking more information or assistance provided by OSC may call toll-free, 1-800-255-7688 or 202-616-5594 or write to:

Office of Special Counsel

for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices

P.O. Box 27728

Washington, D.C. 20038-7728

Email: osc.crt@usdoj.gov