Health Group Fined $100,000 For 'No Haitians' Help-Wanted Ad
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Florida-based health care company will have to pay a hefty fine for an offensive help-wanted advertisement posted in Rockland County last year.
Interim Healthcare Inc.'s ad for a female nursing position in West Haverstraw explicitly stated "No Haitians" would be considered for employment. The ad appeared in the Rockland Pennysaver on Oct. 15.
Following an investigation, the state attorney general's office determined the ad stemmed from a patient's request, but the company did not review it for compliance with equal opportunity policies or civil rights laws before it was submitted and published.
"Blatantly discriminatory job advertisements like this are wrong and clearly illegal," Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a statement. "My office is committed to ensuring equal access to employment for all New Yorkers and will not tolerate discrimination against any New Yorker based on race or national origin or any other protected status."
The company now faces a $100,000 fine.
As part of the settlement, the company will also create new anti-discriminatory policies.
State Sen. David Carlucci, D-Clarkstown, applauded the settlement.
"The contributions Haitian-Americans and their families have made to not only the healthcare profession but in all aspects of our society should be celebrated, not rejected, and this settlement sends a strong message of our commitment to protect the rights of all New Yorkers," Carlucci said.