Historic Settlement Reached in Discrimination Case Against CBP

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has agreed to a $45 million settlement following a 2016 class action lawsuit alleging discrimination against pregnant employees. Nearly 1,100 women were affected. The settlement includes reforms to address discriminatory practices and ensure reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers in the future.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is set to pay a $45 million settlement in response to a class action lawsuit filed in 2016, which alleged the agency discriminated against pregnant employees, lawyers for the employees announced on Tuesday.

The lawsuit, involving nearly 1,100 women, claimed CBP routinely placed pregnant officers and agriculture specialists on light duty, denying them opportunities for overtime, advancement, and other benefits. As part of the settlement, CBP has agreed to enact reforms to prevent such discriminatory practices going forward.

The agreement mandates that pregnant employees will now be presumed capable of performing their jobs and includes provisions for reasonable accommodations. Additionally, CBP will hold trainings on implementing light duty policies correctly, and there will be a three-year enforcement period to ensure compliance.

(With inputs from agencies.)