Briefs

Morrisey joins AGs to threaten legal action against Fortune 100 companies using race in hiring

By: Amelia Ferrell Knisely - July 13, 2023 4:04 pm

Patrick Morrisey stands at a podium with a microphone

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey joined a letter with 12 other attorneys general that references the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision striking down affirmative action in universities to argue that any continued use of race based hiring would violate state and federal employment discrimination laws. (Win McNamee | Getty Images)

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey joined a coalition of Republican attorneys general in a letter Thursday that threatened “serious legal consequences” against Fortune 100 companies that continue to consider race and diversity, equity and inclusion in their hiring practices.

The letter, signed by 13 attorneys general, references the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision striking down affirmative action in universities to argue that any continued use of race based hiring would violate state and federal employment discrimination laws.

The group of attorneys general criticized companies that gave preference to contractors with diverse staff or minority leadership.

“We urge you to immediately cease any unlawful race-based quotas or preferences your company has adopted for its employment and contracting practices,” the letter said, which also described the companies’ hiring practices as explicit racial quotas and preferences in hiring, recruiting, retention, promotion and advancement.

The Fortune 100 are the top earning public and private companies in the U.S. The coalition of attorneys general said race-based hiring and promotion practices along with racial quotas have been adopted by Airbnb, Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Snapchat, TikTok and more.

“Such overt and pervasive racial discrimination in the employment and contracting practices of Fortune 100 companies compels us to remind you of the obvious: Racial discrimination is both immoral and illegal,” the attorneys general wrote.

The letter continued, “If you choose not to do so, know that you will be held accountable — sooner rather than later — for your decision to continue treating people differently because of the color of their skin.

The letter was also signed by attorneys general from Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Morrisey is currently running for governor in the 2024 election. He has served as the state’s attorney general since 2013.

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Amelia Ferrell Knisely

Amelia is an investigative reporter for West Virginia Watch. Her coverage regularly focuses on poverty, child welfare, social services and government.