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Signet Settles EEOC Discrimination Case
May 7, 2017 4:47 AM
By Rapaport News
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RAPAPORT... Signet Jewelers has settled a legal case over gender discrimination
without having to admit fault or pay damages.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued
Sterling Jewelers, a division of Signet, in 2008, alleging that the retailer
had discriminated against female sales employees. Signet and the EEOC, a US
government agency, settled the case last week after the court found no liability
or wrongdoing by Signet, according to a court filing Thursday.
The settlement does not cover a separate ongoing arbitration
alleging gender discrimination in pay and promotion at Sterling. In that class action,
declarations by plaintiffs that came to light in February alleged sexual
harassment at Sterling, which Signet refuted.
Following last week’s agreement, Signet is required to hire
an independent expert on employment practices within 30 days. That consultant,
psychologist Dr. Nancy Tippins, will review the company’s pay and promotion
policies and report back in writing within 210 days.
“We are pleased to have resolved this matter with the EEOC,”
said Lynn Dennison, Signet’s chief legal, risk and corporate affairs
officer.
“Signet has a sound framework of policies and practices
designed to ensure equal opportunity for women, and we do not tolerate
discrimination of any kind,” Dennison added. “The additional steps agreed to as
part of the consent decree with the EEOC are consistent with our commitment to
continuous review and improvement.”
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Tags:
discrimination, EEOC, employment, gender discrimination, litigation, Lynn Dennison, Nancy Tippins, Rapaport News, Signet, Signet Jewelers, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
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