Wal-Mart to Settle 13 EEOC Bias Suits

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. agreed to pay $6.8 million and change its hiring practices to settle U.S. government claims that the retailer discriminated against disabled applicants.

U.S. District Judge Garland Burrell in Sacramento approved the settlement, which resolves 13 disability-bias suits the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed in 11 states, including California.

EEOC suits alleging discrimination based on age, sex and race are still pending, the agency’s chief negotiator on the pact said.

Wal-Mart spokesman Bill Wertz said the company is pleased with the settlement.

Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, admitted that it asked disability-related questions on job application forms from 1984 to 1988 in violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The company agreed to stop the practice and give priority to applicants who were turned down because of medical- or disability-related information.

Shares of Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart rose $1.79 to $55.85 on the NYSE.