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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, America First Legal (AFL) filed a federal civil rights complaint against Penguin Random House, LLC (PRH) with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), calling for an investigation into apparent race- and sex-based discrimination in its hiring, promotion, and workforce development practices. Despite claiming to support equal opportunity, PRH has seemingly embedded “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) ideology throughout its employment practices, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Penguin Random House — the world’s largest trade publisher — openly prioritizes race and sex in recruitment, leadership development, and promotion. The company is “guided by five core pillars that shape [its] DEI efforts across the business.” PRH publicly tracks and publishes workforce demographics, compares “White versus BIPOC” representation, sets race-focused hiring goals, and holds leadership accountable for achieving DEI outcomes. These are not aspirational statements; they are race-based employment practices that federal law forbids.
PRH’s own disclosures indicate that it is fixated on racial outcomes rather than merit. While its job postings claim equal opportunity for all applicants, PRH admits it “still has much more important work to do” and emphasizes continued “targeted recruitment” based on race. Tracking and enforcing demographic benchmarks is evidence of unlawful discrimination, no matter how it is labeled.
Federal law is clear: Title VII prohibits employment decisions based on race or sex for any individual. AFL’s letter cites U.S. Supreme Court precedent reaffirming that so-called “equity” goals do not excuse unlawful discrimination. By publicly prioritizing race in employment and advancement decisions, PRH appears to be operating in direct conflict with federal civil rights law.
AFL is urging the EEOC to investigate Penguin Random House’s leadership accountability systems, DEI-driven hiring and promotion practices, talent development programs, supplier diversity initiatives, and Employee Resource Groups that may exclude or advantage employees based on their immutable characteristics.
“It appears Penguin Random House is using race and sex to shape its workforce in the name of ‘more inclusive business practices,’” said Bobby Crossin, Attorney at America First Legal. “The Civil Rights Act does not allow corporations to discriminate, no matter how fashionable the label.”
AFL will continue fighting to expose and dismantle unlawful race-based discrimination wherever it appears. We remain committed to defending equal protection, equal opportunity, and a colorblind rule of law for every American.
Read the full complaint here.
Learn more about AFL’s fight against woke corporations here.
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