Sterling Jewelers Paperless Pay: A Major Step Towards Diversity and Inclusion

In a significant move towards promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, Sterling Jewelers has agreed to settle a landmark class arbitration lawsuit for $125 million. The settlement is a major step forward in addressing the long-standing issue of pay and promotion bias faced by female retail sales workers at the company.

The lawsuit, which was filed 14 years ago, alleged that Sterling Jewelers had discriminatory pay and promotion practices that resulted in women being paid less than their male counterparts despite their equal or superior performance. The company's prior experience and qualifications were also discounted when determining starting pay, leading to lower wages for women.

According to the settlement, Sterling Jewelers will work with class counsel to finalize new pay and promotion factors that are based on merit and do not perpetuate sex-based biases. The company has also agreed to eliminate decision-making factors that contributed to the bias and will prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring practices.

The settlement is a major victory for the women who sued the company, with each of the roughly 68,000 female retail sales workers entitled to receive an average award of $1,825. In addition, Sterling Jewelers has agreed to pay class counsel $50 million in attorneys' fees and costs.

The deal still needs to be approved by the arbitrator overseeing the landmark class arbitration, but this settlement marks a significant step towards bringing closure to a nearly 15-year-old case. The company's CEO, Gina Drosos, stated that prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential for building high-functioning teams and fostering a culture of appreciation and development.

With this settlement, Sterling Jewelers is sending a strong message about its commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The company's efforts to transform its business model and culture are a significant step towards creating a more equitable work environment for all employees.

Sterling jewelers paperless pay