Joseph Brennan – former RPS chief information officer (CIO) - filed the lawsuit in May 2013, claiming he was sacked after trying to stop the firm storing data on potential employees’ sexual orientation, religion and political views in its applicant tracking system.
In the suit Brennan alleged he was sacked after notifying recruiting VP Joseph Arcangelo and COO Harris Koffer that RPS was unlawfully storing job applicants’ data.
The CRO said in response that Brennan was fired for engaging in business affairs outside the terms of his employment.
Details of the settlement are being kept confidential. However, Brennan has withdrawn his allegations and issued the following statement that was sent to Outsourcing-pharma by PRA Healthsciences.
“Upon further investigation and reflection, I withdraw and retract my allegations that RPS improperly tracked and placed candidates based on religion, sexual orientation, and/or political affiliation. I do not believe RPS was or is engaged in such practices, nor do I believe that RPS retaliated against me.
Brennan added that: “I also withdraw and retract my allegations in the lawsuit that any current or former RPS executives, including then Chief Executive Officer Daniel Perlman, President Harris Koffer, and then Vice President of Recruiting Joseph Arcangelo, acted improperly regarding tracking or placement of candidates, or retaliated against me in any manner.”
RPS, also known as ReSearch Pharmaceutical Services, was acquired by private equity investor KKR in July last year.
Since then the contract research organisation (CRO) has been merged with KKR-owned PRA Healthsciencs, for which it now operates as a strategic sourcing division.