Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Chicago Miniature Lamp Works

# EEOC v. Chicago Miniature Lamp Works (1987) **What Happened** The federal government's Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Chicago Miniature Lamp Works, claiming the company systematically discriminated against Black applicants seeking entry-level factory jobs. The EEOC alleged the company had a pattern of rejecting qualified Black candidates while hiring less qualified white applicants. **What the Court Decided** The court ruled in favor of the EEOC, finding the company guilty of racial discrimination. The judge determined Chicago Miniature Lamp Works had indeed engaged in intentional, widespread discrimination in its hiring practices. The company was ordered to pay $6 million in damages and compensate affected workers with back pay—money they would have earned if hired. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case demonstrates that employers cannot use hiring practices that unfairly exclude people based on race. The large settlement showed courts take discrimination seriously and will award significant money to victims. The ruling reinforced that workers have legal protections when applying for jobs, and the government will actively investigate and prosecute companies that violate these rights.