Macy’s has agreed to pay $650,000 after an in-depth investigation revealed a pattern of racial profiling practices at its Herald Square flagship store. The retailer has also agreed to implement new policies and practices that prevent against such profiling. This includes keeping better records of why people are detained, responding to complaints from customers, and reporting on compliance for the next three years.
The attorney general’s Civil Rights bureau began the investigation at Macy’s after receiving numerous complaints from minority customers. Since it began its investigation in February, the office has revealed that from 2007 to 2013, a string of complaints have been filed by minority customers who have been singled out under suspicion of shoplifting.
According to the Associated Press, complaints included customers being "detained after traveling between floors by escalator with unconcealed merchandise." Customers non-fluent in English and suspected of shoplifting or credit card fraud were also reportedly not allowed to make phone calls, had no access to an interpreter, and forced to sign "trespass notices they couldn't understand."
Macy’s is the second retailer to shell out over half-a-million to settle its racial profiling practices. Barneys New York recently paid $525,000 following an investigation that revealed it was also targeting minority customers.
[via Jezebel]
