Tyson Foods Inc. Subsidiary Sued by U.S. Department of Labor for Sex Discrimination

An administrative complaint was filed against Tyson Fresh Meats (“Tyson”) this week, a subsidiary of Tyson Foods Inc. The complaint alleges systemic discrimination against women in Tyson’s Illinois plant. The Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”) is empowered to assert the complaint based upon Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors like Tyson, from discriminating on the basis of sex.

It is alleged that over 750 female applicants are owed back wages after an investigation uncovered a discriminatory selection process during hiring by Tyson. The lawsuit asks for the government to bar Tyson from future contracts until the discrimination is remedied, and for lost wages, including interest and other benefits. The law suit also alleges that approximately 100 women should be given the opportunity to work for Tyson.