Employee Rights Post Short Takes: Walmart Settles Sex Discrimination Case For $11.7 Million
Walmart's Discrimination Against Women In Warehouse Positions Results In 11.7 Million Dollar Settlement
Walmart will pay $11.7 million dollars in lost wages and compensatory damages -- and will provide other relief including jobs -- to settle a sex discrimination class action lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
According the the EEOC, Walmart's London, Kentucky distribution center hired only men into warehouse positions and excluded women who were equally and better qualified between 1998 and 2005 in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Laws of 1964.
The EEOC alleged that Walmart regularly used gender stereotypes in filling entry level order filler positions which hiring officials at Walmart contended were not suitable for women. .jpg)
The consent decree settling the case requires Walmart to provide order filler jobs, as they become available, to eligible and interested female class members. A settlement administrator will administer the proceeds of the settlement to all eligible class members.
Walmart also agreed not to discriminate against females in hiring for order filler positions and not to retaliate against applicants who exercise their rights, complain about discrimination, or assist in an investigation of a discrimination related proceeding.
Walmart had sales of $401 billion in 2009 and employs more than 2.1 million individuals worldwide.
Walmart is notorious for illegal employment practices. This case is just another example. Great job by the EEOC in holding Walmart's feet to the fire.
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Recognized as one of the first and foremost employment and civil rights attorneys in the United States, Ellen Simon has been lauded for her work on landmark cases that established employment law in both state and federal court. A sought-after legal analyst and expert, she discusses high-profile civil cases, employment discrimination and woman's issues. Her blog, Employee Rights Post www.employeerightspost.com/ has dedicated readers who turn to Ellen for her advice and opinion. Learn more about Ellen Simon at www.ellensimon.net/.
