MIAMI -- The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and The Collection, a South Florida automobile dealership, have reached a voluntary conciliation agreement to resolve allegations of gender discrimination raised by an unsuccessful female job applicant, the federal agency announced today.

Following an investigation, the EEOC found that the company had discriminated in its hiring practices on the basis of gender by failing to hire enough females into the position of sales representative.

To demonstrate their support of the EEOC and without admitting liability, the company will pay a monetary settlement to the affected females; hire qualified external trainers to conduct anti-discrimination training for all employees; create the position of director of diversity and inclusion to act as a liaison with the EEOC; and implement new recruiting tools and resources to attract female candidates for open positions, amongst other anti-discrimination hiring tactics.

"We commend The Collection for its cooperation in working to resolve this matter," said the district director for the EEOC's Miami District Office, Michael Farrell. "This agreement is a step toward addressing concerns regarding access to job opportunities for women in an industry where those opportunities have historically been limited. This agreement shows that we strive to work with employers willing to establish policies and practices that ensure equal opportunity, and I applaud The Collection for its efforts."