BP, EEOC reach deal over gender bias claims

BP and its contractors have agreed to pay up to $5.4 million to resolve complaints that some women weren’t considered for temporary jobs responding to the 2010 Gulf oil spill because of their gender. The agreement ends an investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission without the federal agency filing a lawsuit over the allegations. The EEOC says it hasn’t determined that London-based BP PLC violated any anti-discrimination laws. BP denies it engaged in any wrongdoing. The EEOC says its probe was based on complaints by several women in Louisiana and Alabama. An undetermined number of women from Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida who applied for BP spill response jobs will be eligible for shares of the money. Also under the settlement, BP will require its contractors to abide by equal opportunity laws and designate an employee to monitor the terms of the agreement with the government. It also will partner with other companies in the industry to make sure anti-discrimination laws are followed even during emergencies.