IBM to pay $17 million to settle accusations of illegal DEI practices

“Today’s settlement proves this Department’s commitment to ensure companies are not using taxpayer funded work to further woke unconstitutional practices in American workplaces.”

Accusations against IBM

IBM had been accused of “knowingly maintaining” practices that the US government contends discriminated against employees during employment and applicants for employment because of race, colour, national origin, or sex.

Among the practices the US government cited were modifications or adjustments to pay, bonus, or other compensation that caused employees to take race, colour, national origin, or sex into account when making employment decisions.

IBM also allegedly took these standards into account as part of decisions to hire, transfer, or promote through the use of “diverse interview slates,” “diverse sourcing,” and other related employment practices.

It also allegedly offered training, partnerships, mentoring, leadership development programmes, educational opportunities, or resources only to certain employees, with eligibility and participation limited on the basis of race, colour, national origin, or sex.