Fastenal settles discrimination complaint for $1.25M

Parts supplier Fastenal will pay $1.25 million to 8,453 job applicants in Indianapolis and Atlanta to settle a federal labor complaint for discriminatory hiring.

Fastenal, based in Winona, Minn., also agreed to hire 154 African-Americans and 17 women as part of the settlement.

The settlement came after federal investigators found the company discriminated against African-Americans and female job applicants with its screening and testing practices at warehouse sites in Indianapolis and Atlanta, the Labor Department said Thursday.

The company also destroyed or failed to provide employment records to federal investigators "in an alleged attempt to hinder the investigation," the Labor Department said.

The company did not admit to liability in the settlement.

The investigation covered the years 2011 and 2012. The Labor Department said it's looking for thousands of African-Americans and women who applied for jobs with Fastenal in those years who think they were discriminated against. More information is at http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/CML/index.htm.

The federal investigation was done by its Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program, which investigates discrimination and other complaints against federal contractors. Fastenal received $35 million in federal contracts in 2011 and 2012, the Labor Department said.

“Fastenal has taken a step in the right direction by working closely with our agency to resolve these issues,” said OFCCP Director Patricia Shiu.  “Together, we will ensure that the company continues to maintain all required employment records and only uses employment tests that are job related to the position for which they are applying.”

Fastenal sells industrial and commercial supplies, including screws and bolts,at 2,700 stores using 14 distribution centers in North America.

The company could not be reached for comment.

Call Star reporter Jeff Swiatek at (317)444-6483. Follow him on Twitter: @JeffSwiatek.