Queens Psychiatric Hospital Settles With Government Over Discrimination Claim
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A Queens psychiatric hospital has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, following a claim that it discriminated against non-U.S. citizens in hiring procedures.
Holliswood Hospital in Jamaica, Queens, was accused of requiring different work eligibility documents for non-citizens.
Under the terms of the agreement announced Wednesday, Holliswood admitted no wrongdoing.
The Justice Department began looking into procedures at Holliswood after a former employee, an immigrant, said she was terminated over the requirements of her employment eligibility.
The agency's investigation showed that permanent residents were asked to provide more or different documents than U.S. citizens. Federal law requires all authorized workers be treated the same, regardless of citizenship status.
Holliswood will pay $1,182 in back pay to the employee and $5,000 to the government in penalties.
The hospital did not return a call seeking comment.
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