Satellite : DIRECTV Settles EEO Claims with FCC

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Last week, the Federal Communications Commission entered into a consent decree with DIRECTV concerning alleged non-compliance with the agency's equal employment opportunity rules.

As part of the FCC inquiry, DIRECTV was asked to make a voluntary contribution to the U.S. Treasury amounting to $150,000 in an effort to settle the matter.

According to the consent decree released by the commission last Friday, DIRECTV reportedly admitted to FCC Media Bureau personnel that it failed to file, as well as maintain, its EEO annual reports for a number of years. The FCC filing stated that the consent decree is for settlement purposes only and that DIRECTV did not admit or deny any noncompliance, violation or liability associated with the lack of EEO filings at the commission.

The consent decree also closes the agency's investigation into the matter.

In a statement, DIRECTV said it has "a long-standing commitment to maintaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities in which it does business. While we regret any oversights in the implementation of the FCC rules in our recruitment, DIRECTV's workforce is second to none when it comes to diversity. Our employee demographics currently met or exceed the overall equivalent U.S. labor force statistics."

While DIRECTV had allegedly failed to maintain its EEO reports, the consent decree noted that the DBS company "had in place a continuing program of practices designed to ensure equal employment opportunity to job applicants and employees." Also, the DBS service "had periodically reviewed its efforts to recruit, hire and promote employees and to use the services of recruitment sources and businesses without discrimination," stated the filing.