Human Resources

Macy's has agreed to pay a $175,000 civil fine for discriminating against immigrant employees when verifying their eligibility to continue working for the company, according to a Reuters report. 

The retailer will have to walk the fine line between ensuring equal opportunity rights to workers while not running afoul of complex immigration laws. To that end, in addition to paying the fine, Macy’s has agreed to improve the manner in which it verifies workers’ eligibility to work legally.

WASHINGTON — Shop.org has elected six new members to its board of directors and re-elected three. Each member will serve a two-year term. 

The new members are Elaine Boltz, SVP of e-commerce, the TJX companies; Jill Braff, EVP of digital commerce, HSNi, Ivy Chin, SVP of e-commerce and omnichannel digital, Belk; Jason Goldberg, VP of commerce strategy, Razorfish; Kasey Lobaugh, principal and chief retail innovation officer, Deloitte Consulting; and Matthew Kaness, chief strategy officer, Urban Outfitters.

New York – Macy’s will pay $175,000 in civil penalties to the U.S. government in an agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) settling claims of mistreatment of immigrant workers. In addition to paying the $175,000 fine, Macy’s will also revise its employment eligibility reverification policies and procedures and to provide training to its human resources personnel across the country on the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA).

Oklahoma City – Hobby Lobby has received permission from the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver to continue its challenge of the federal mandate requiring for-profit employers to offer certain types of birth control coverage as part of their employee health care plans. As a result, Hobby Lobby will at least temporarily avoid having to start paying millions of dollars in fines for non-compliance next week.

Men’s Wearhouse founder and ousted executive chairman George Zimmer released an open letter late Wednesday in which he addressed the manner in which the board portrayed him in a statement yesterday.

Zimmer flatly denies the board’s claims that he was an obstinate former CEO, determined to regain absolute control by pushing for the company to go private.

Seattle – Brad Smith, president and CEO of Intuit Inc., has joined the board of directors of Nordstrom. Smith, who has been with Intuit since 2003, was named president and CEO in 2008. Prior to joining Intuit, Smith held sales, marketing and management roles with companies including ADP, PepsiCo, Seven-Up and Advo. He is also a former director of Yahoo.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hallmark Cards has elected Claire Hughes Johnson, VP at Google to the company’s board of directors.

"Claire Hughes Johnson has broad experience in developing innovative new businesses and business models," said Hallmark vice chairman, president and CEO Donald J. Hall Jr. "Her knowledge of the rapidly changing digital space as well as her experience leading global business and product teams will help us as we consider new opportunities and develop strategic plans to expand our business."

Seattle – The New York Court of Appeals has ruled that Starbucks shift supervisors are eligible to share tips left in plastic containers by cash registers with baristas. However, assistant managers are not entitled to share in the tips.