A class-action lawsuit against the Social Security Administration recently concluded with a $22.7 million settlement. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission approved this settlement, benefiting thousands of government employees.
The lawsuit addresses claims of discrimination against black male employees at the SSA office in Baltimore County, Maryland.
Allegations of discrimination
The lawsuit, initially filed in 2007, alleged that the SSA discriminated against black men through an unfair bonus system. Employees at the GS-14 level and below at the Baltimore County SSA headquarters raised these concerns.
Evidence of discrimination
The case presented statistical evidence showing that African-American male employees received fewer awards and lower-value bonuses as compared to their white peers. The settlement aims to address the harm these employees suffered over the past 20 years due to systemic discriminatory practices.
Settlement details
Eligible employees include African American men who worked for the Social Security Administration’s Baltimore County office between 2003 and 2023. The settlement covers damages, fees and costs related to administering the settlement. Eligible employees will receive a claim form to access their part of the money.
Future monitoring
As part of the ruling, the SSA agreed to collect and analyze demographic data on monetary awards for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. This measure ensures transparency. It also aims to prevent future discrimination against African Americans by the agency.
The judgment in this case marks a significant victory for the affected employees. It offers them financial compensation and acknowledgment of the years of racist practices they faced in their workplace. The SSA’s agreement to track future awards distribution also shows a commitment to preventing similar issues from occurring in the future.
