Supposedly One of the “Best Companies” for Women Ordered to Pay $250 Million in Fees for Discrimination
Well, then. Despite making Working Mother’s 100 Best Companies list for four years straight, Novartis Pharmaceuticals was found guilty of discrimination against its female employees earlier this week, and today the company was ordered to pay $250 million in punitive damages to its 5,600 female employees—the largest ever employment discrimination verdict.
The women said that they were scrutinized about their child care arrangements, paid less than their male colleagues, and one was even fired when she was seven months pregnant, despite being the highest-ranking sales rep in the district.
We wish charges like this surprised us, but we know this sort of thing happens all the time. The only really unusual part is that the women sued—and won. Hopefully, the price-tag attached to the verdict is enough to send a real message.
In the comments section of ABC’s story, readers are calling out other companies where similar discrimination is rampant. Namely godaddy.com and Dillard’s. So what are some of the other worst offenders? And why are they managing to fool places like Working Mother?
And ladies of Novartis, especially the twelve responsible for the lawsuit, congratulations! Now go celebrate. We recommend the Palm Court.
