Wal-Mart Faces Largest Sexual Discrimination Suit

The largest sexual discrimination lawsuit in U.S. history moved forward against Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Tuesday when a federal appeals court approved class-action status for seven women who claim the retailer was biased in pay and promotions, according to Reuters.com. The plaintiffs estimate as many as 1.6 million women who have worked for Wal-Mart in its U.S. stores since 1998 could join the lawsuit--making the group the largest ever to sue for gender discrimination. In the Wal-Mart case, the plaintiffs allege they were denied promotion opportunities, with some also saying they were sexually harassed or subjected to sexist remarks. The 2-1 ruling by the three-judge panel took no position on the claims, stressing the decision only affirmed a lower court ruling to certify the case, Dukes v. Wal-Mart, as a class action. Previously, Wal-Mart had argued it did not discriminate and that class-action status should be dismissed because the company grants its 3,400 U.S. stores independence in their management. Wal-Mart has not yet announced whether it would ask a larger 9th Circuit panel to reconsider the decision or appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.