Around the Clock Dispatcher, Retaliation, New York 2023

WASHINGTON – In a shocking case of corporate malfeasance, Around the Clock Dispatch Inc., a Queens Village, New York-based transportation and delivery company, has agreed to pay $3,600 in civil penalties and $899 in back pay to settle claims of retaliation against a worker who sought help from the Immigration and Employee Rights Section (IER).

According to the U.S. government, the company suspended the worker for three days without pay after he contacted the IER’s Section 508 hotline to report concerns about the company’s hiring practices.

The U.S. government alleges that Around the Clock Dispatch Inc. took reprisals against the worker because he exercised his right to seek help from the IER, which is responsible for enforcing the antidiscrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

“Workers should not face negative consequences for commenting on concerns that may be a violation of the antidiscrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act,” said Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division. “We encourage workers and employers to communicate with the IER’s hotline to get information about their rights and responsibilities, and to help resolve disputes as quickly as possible. Protecting those who contact the hotline for retaliation-related reasons is essential to ensuring their success.”

The settlement requires Around the Clock Dispatch Inc. to pay the civil penalty and back pay, as well as provide training to its employees on the INA’s antidiscrimination provision. The company must also submit to Department of Justice supervision and reporting requirements.

The IER is responsible for enforcing the antidiscrimination provision of the INA, which prohibits discrimination based on immigration status, citizenship, or national origin in employment practices, including hiring, firing, recruitment, or verification of eligibility to work. If you believe you have been discriminated against or subjected to reprisals, you can file a complaint with the IER or call their hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (TTY for people with hearing disabilities) or 1-800-237-2515 (TTY for people with hearing disabilities).

The IER’s hotline is available to workers and employers alike, and provides information and assistance to prevent discrimination and resolve employment disputes related to immigration status. The INA prohibits intimidation or reprisal against individuals who reasonably believe that they have been violating the law that the IER enforces, including contacting the IER’s hotline.

This settlement is a wake-up call for companies that think they can get away with retaliation against workers who speak out. The U.S. government will not tolerate this kind of behavior, and will hold companies accountable for their actions.

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