The department’s investigation began after a non-U.S. citizen complained that Giant refused to accept valid documentation proving her permission to work and demanded a different document from her. The department’s investigation determined that Giant routinely required specific documents from newly-hired non-U.S. citizens to prove they had permission to work in the United States. Specifically, the department found that Giant required lawful permanent residents to show their permanent resident cards (sometimes known as “green cards”) to prove their permission to work, even when they had presented other valid documentation. The investigation also revealed that Giant refused to allow the worker who complained to begin working because she did not present a green card as demanded. At the same time, Giant allowed U.S. citizens to choose from among various acceptable document types.
Under the terms of the settlement, Giant will pay a civil penalty to the United States, train staff on the INA’s anti-discrimination provision, review and revise their employment policies and be subject to departmental monitoring for a three-year period. After the department’s investigation began, Giant provided the worker who complained with the pay she missed due to the alleged discrimination.
Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News 