Problem
Lincoln Grant, a 31-year-old African-American employee, has been working for six years as a technician at Uptown Bottling and Canning Co. in Baltimore, Maryland. On four separate occasions, he has unsuccessfully sought a promotion to a managerial position. As the only member in his department with a graduate degree, Grant questions how the company has treated him. He also knows that only four African-American employees have been promoted during the previous nine years, compared with 41 white employees who have been offered promotions over the same period of time. Baltimore City is more than 50% African-American, and the surrounding metropolitan region is about 25% African-American.
On one occasion, the company posted a listing for a managerial position and encouraged current employees to apply. According to the job description, eligible applicants should have at least five years of prior experience with the company and should hold a graduate degree in either business or engineering. Furthermore, each applicant would be required to take a written exam. Although Grant applied, the company awarded the position to Henry Thompson, a white male with only two years of experience and no graduate degree. Grant, as it turned out, was the only applicant with five years of prior experience and a graduate degree.
In making its final selections for jobs, Uptown Bottling and Canning considers test scores and leadership potential. Grant's test scores were significantly above average, but his supervisors told him that he lacked the leadership skills required of managers. Based on observed performance, they pointed out, Grant has never demonstrated leadership skills while working at Uptown. At the same time, Grant has also never been given any form of leadership training. Most of the 41 white employees who were promoted had been giving leadership training within the first five years of their employment with the company.
Task
a) Are the facts in this case sufficient to indicate that the Uptown Bottling and Canning Co. discriminated against Lincoln Grant on the basis of race? Why, or why not? Explain.
b) Given the promotion statistics, should the company do more to see that African-American employees are considered for both leadership training and promotions? Why, or why not? Explain.
c) Should the fact that the Baltimore area has a high percentage of African- American residents be a factor in the hiring and promotion practices at Uptown Bowling and Canning Co.? Why, or why not? Explain.