Sterling Sued for Discrimination
By William George Schuster -- JCK Online, 11/1/2008 2:00:00 AM
Sterling Jewelers has been sued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for allegedly “discriminating against a large class of female employees at stores nationwide.”
In its suit, the EEOC alleges Sterling “pays its female retail sales employees less than male employees performing equal work, and denies female employees promotional opportunities for which they are qualified.” It does this, the suit claims, “by maintaining a system for making promotion and compensation decisions that is excessively subjective, and through which Sterling Jewelers has permitted or encouraged managers to deny female employees” equal pay and promotion opportunities.
The EEOC said it filed its lawsuit after failing to reach a voluntary settlement with Sterling. It is seeking “monetary relief, an order requiring the company to implement new policies and practices to prevent discrimination, training about antidiscrimination laws, posting of notices at the work site, and other injunctive relief.”
Sterling, in a statement to JCK, said it had investigated the allegations when they arose but couldn't substantiate them. The statement continued, “We do not believe these charges are valid.” The company noted that the majority of its store managers and employees are women.
“We take the allegations raised in this lawsuit very seriously,” said David A. Bouffard, Sterling Jewelers vice president, media relations. “We are confident these charges don't reflect the culture of this company. Fairness, opportunity, integrity, and respect are core values at Sterling.” He said the company would “defend ourselves vigorously against whatever legal action arises.“
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FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I KNOW THAT I WAS TOLD BY MY RVP "WE CAN NOT MAKE IT WORTH YOUR WHILE TO PROMOTE YOU." THIS WAS AFTER I GAVE MY TWO WEEKS NOTICE AND WAS BLATENTLEY TOLD NO, I COULD NOT LEAVE. HOW DOES ONE TELL SOMEBODY THEY CAN NOT QUIT THEIR JOB OUT OF FRUSTRATION AFTER LEARNING SEVERAL OTHER EMPLOYEES WITH THE SAME TITLE WERE BEING PAID SALARIES MUCH HIGHER AND HAD MUCH LESS EXPERIENCE AND WERE PRODUCING NUMBERS AT A MUCH LOWER LEVER THAT MY STORE WAS? I CAN TELL YOU WHO....MEN WHO WORK FOR STERLING INC! JUSTICE NEEDS TO BE SERVED! OH! BY THE WAY STERLING MANAGEMENT STILL CALLS ME (ALMOST 2 YEARS LATER) TO COME BACK TO WORK FOR THE COMPANY...APPARENTLY THEY CAN MAKE IT WORTH MY WHILE NOW. WHATEVER THAT MEANS. I WOULD RATHER NOT WORK A MANDATORY 84 HOURS A WEEK AND GET PAID FOR 40 THANKS STERLING BUT NO THANKS!
AUTUMN ROBBINS - 2008-6-12 02:10:00 EST -
quite honestly a case should be made for gender discrimination against males, not females.
the individuals in question would have been given the same or better opportunities than their male counterparts. many years ago these allegations might have rung somewhat true, but not today.
this company makes too many mistakes when it comes to placating groups that insist on entitlements as does the EEOC. clearly the individuals "want something for nothing".
skill and ability matter and clearly these few did not exhibit skill and ability.
the retaliation level in this company is very real, so don''t expect any employees to talk openly about this or any other topic as they will probably lose their jobs. they always find a way.
Longterm Employee - 2008-13-11 19:00:00 EST
Class Action Status Allowed in Sterling Suit
09/14/2009EEOC Sues Sterling for Discrimination
09/24/2008
