Events & AwardsApr 25, 2024
Alexis Padis Takes Over as AGS Board President Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
MajorsOct 27, 2015
Sterling petitions for full review in EEOC case
Sterling Jewelers Inc. is asking a federal appeals court for an en banc review of the decision that revived the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s gender discrimination lawsuit against it.
New York--Sterling Jewelers Inc. is asking a federal appeals court to reconsider the decision it handed down earlier this fall that revived the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s gender discrimination lawsuit against it.
A three-judge panel for the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in the EEOC’s favor in September, stating that a lower court had erred in throwing out the case and remanding it to U.S. District Court for further proceedings.
On Friday, Sterling filed a petition asking the panel to rehear the case and also requesting an en banc review of the decision. An en banc review is one in which a case is heard before all judges of a court; the Second Circuit Court of Appeals has 13 active and nine senior judges.
In its 32-page petition, the specialty jeweler reiterates the point that it has made all along: that the EEOC did not conduct a thorough enough investigation of its employment practices to warrant it filing suit on behalf of more than 40,000 women who work, or worked, at Sterling-owned stores across the country.
Sterling asserts that the lower court was right to throw out the case and asks the panel and the court to rehear the issues and vacate the panel’s opinion.
The EEOC filed its lawsuit against Sterling in September 2008 under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
The EEOC alleges that Sterling exhibited a nationwide practice of paying women less and passing them over for promotions in favor of male employees.
In March 2014, U.S. District Court in Buffalo adopted a magistrate’s judge recommendation that the case be dismissed because the EEOC failed to prove it had conducted a thorough, nationwide pre-suit investigation of Sterling’s employment practices before it filed the lawsuit.
The EEOC appealed that ruling and won, with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals remanding the case to the district court for further proceedings.
When asked about its decision to petition for a full-panel review, Sterling parent company Signet Jewelers Ltd. provided the following statement: “We have taken the allegations of pay and promotions discrimination raised in the EEOC case seriously and investigated them thoroughly; they are not substantiated by the facts and do not reflect the culture of our company. We will continue to defend the
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
company against these unjustified legal claims, which misrepresent our deep commitment to, and history of, equal opportunity.”
More on Majors
The Latest
EditorsApr 25, 2024
5 Tips for Creating Fans from the Top (Savannah) Banana Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
WatchesApr 25, 2024
Audemars Piguet and John Mayer Partner on Limited Edition WatchThe Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
SourcingApr 25, 2024
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2024The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
Weekly QuizApr 26, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
CrimeApr 24, 2024
Jewelry Crime Declines Significantly, But Dollar Losses Remain High A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
CollectionsApr 24, 2024
Pippa Small Announces ‘Venus’ CollectionInspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers of America Represents Your BusinessFor over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
FinancialsApr 24, 2024
Kering’s Jewelry Brands a Bright Spot in Tough Q1The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2024
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2024 Grant RecipientsThe selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
SourcingApr 24, 2024
Rio Tinto’s Q1 Production Drops Amid Pause to Honor Lost Colleagues The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
WatchesApr 24, 2024
These Are Rolex’s New Watches for 2024 The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
ColumnistsApr 23, 2024
The Smart Lab: Advanced Email Marketing Strategies for Mother’s DayEmmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
IndependentsApr 23, 2024
Hannoush Jewelers Opens New Store in New York Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
SourcingApr 23, 2024
Lucapa Sells 3 Diamonds for $10.5M in First Lulo Tender of 2024A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
GradingApr 23, 2024
GIA Has a New Book About William RuserRuser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
CollectionsApr 22, 2024
Jacquie Aiche’s New Campaign Stars Adam Levine, Behati PrinslooThe “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
EditorsApr 22, 2024
The 22 Best Quotes from AGS Conclave 2024 Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares the standout moments from the education sessions she attended in Austin last week.
SourcingApr 22, 2024
Virtual Diamond Boutique Rebrands as ‘VDB’The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
CollectionsApr 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Treasure NecklaceA new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
CrimeApr 19, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
MajorsApr 19, 2024
Unique Designs Acquires China PearlThe move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
GradingApr 19, 2024
AGS Ideal Report Now Available in Printed FormFrom now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
SourcingApr 18, 2024
Diamond Trade Remains Cautious Amid Economic UncertaintyDe Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
Supplier BulletinApr 18, 2024
Discover History’s Hidden Gems at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
WatchesApr 18, 2024
Watch E-tailer Collectability Hires Kelly YochThe Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.
WatchesApr 18, 2024
TAG Heuer Opens Its Largest Standalone Boutique at SeaThe 553-square-foot shop is aboard the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship.
