Honda Aircraft has been fined $44,626 for apparently trying a little too hard to do the right thing when hiring staff. The Justice Department announced this week that Honda was fined for discriminating against prospective employees based on their citizenship because the company misunderstood export restrictions. Under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), employees of businesses engaged in making things that are covered by those regs must be “U.S. persons” and Honda appears to have taken the term too literally. It posted ads the Justice Department says violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Honda advertised at least 25 job vacancies “that unlawfully required applicants to have a specific citizenship status to be considered for the vacancies,” the Justice Department said in a news release. The department said the term “U.S. persons” refers to “U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, asylees, and refugees.” In addition to the fine, Honda had to make sure none of its job ads contain the discriminatory language. Some Honda employees will have to take training in the discrimination provisions and the company will have to make sure trained employees review all job postings.
