AuctionsMay 13, 2024
Lab-Grown Diamond Brand Lightbox Cuts Prices by 25 to 40%The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
MajorsMay 08, 2017
EEOC, Signet Reach Settlement in Discrimination Case
The consent decree brings to a close one of the two cases in which the retailer is accused of paying women less than men and passing them over for promotions.
Buffalo, N.Y.--Signet Jewelers Ltd. and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reached a settlement last week, ending one of the two cases in which the retailer is accused of gender discrimination in pay and promotion.
The EEOC originally filed suit against Signet subsidiary Sterling Jewelers Inc. in September 2008 in federal court in Buffalo, N.Y., alleging that the retailer violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by paying women less for the same work as men and denying them promotions for which they were qualified.
The court-approved settlement, filed Thursday, states that “no findings of liability or wrongdoing as to Sterling” were found during the course of the litigation.
But it lays out a number of steps the company must take to shore up its employment practices, including bringing on board Nancy Tippins, Ph.D., who is an expert in industrial/organizational psychology, as an independent employment practices expert.
Tippins will spend the next four to six months reviewing the retailer’s hiring, compensation and promotion practices for certain store-level management positions to determine if there are any disparities in the way men and women are treated.
Under the terms of the settlement, Sterling also must conduct additional training on federal discrimination laws and what the EEOC settlement will mean for the company, and post “in conspicuous places” a notice about the settlement.
In addition, the retailer has to appoint a compliance officer at a vice president level or higher to oversee the implementation of and compliance with the consent decree and to review complaints and reports of sex discrimination and retaliation from female retail sales employees.
Throughout the litigation, Sterling, which is the branch of Signet that operates the Kay Jewelers and Jared the Galleria of Jewelry chains, has denied all the allegations.
In a statement issued Friday, the retailer pointed out that the court-approved settlement does not require it to pay a monetary award, which is unusual in settlements involving the EEOC.
“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. The additional steps agreed to as part of the consent decree with the EEOC are consistent with our commitment to continuous review and improvement.”
However, Jeffrey Burstein, regional attorney for
the New York district of the EEOC, said the reason there was no monetary award is because Sterling faces pay and promotion discrimination allegations in the ongoing class-action arbitration, and the EEOC feels that any monetary relief will be “adequately litigated by competent private class-action counsel” in that case.
Overall, he said the EEOC was “pleased” with the settlement reached in the Sterling case.
The lawsuit filed by the EEOC is separate from the ongoing class arbitration against Sterling Jewelers, which was filed by a group of 12 women in 2008, a few months before the EEOC action.
That case, which now includes 69,000 former and current Sterling employees, contains similar allegations--that the retailer paid women less and passed them over for promotions in favor of men.
Neither case contains allegations of sexual harassment, though there were thousands of pages of sworn statements unsealed recently connected to the class-action arbitration that contain allegations of sexual harassment, sexist and demeaning behavior, and retaliation against women who complained about or reported such behavior (the complaints were never pursued by the claimants’ attorneys).
Overall, he said the EEOC was “pleased” with the settlement reached in the Sterling case.
The lawsuit filed by the EEOC is separate from the ongoing class arbitration against Sterling Jewelers, which was filed by a group of 12 women in 2008, a few months before the EEOC action.
That case, which now includes 69,000 former and current Sterling employees, contains similar allegations--that the retailer paid women less and passed them over for promotions in favor of men.
Neither case contains allegations of sexual harassment, though there were thousands of pages of sworn statements unsealed recently connected to the class-action arbitration that contain allegations of sexual harassment, sexist and demeaning behavior, and retaliation against women who complained about or reported such behavior (the complaints were never pursued by the claimants’ attorneys).
More on Majors
The Latest
TechnologyMay 13, 2024
Christie’s Website Brought Down by Hackers, Watch Auction Postponed The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
AuctionsMay 13, 2024
Madeleine Albright’s Jewelry, Pins a White-Glove Sale at Freeman’s | HindmanThe late former U.S. Secretary’s collection went for quadruple the sale’s pre-sale estimate.
Brought to you by
Record Gold Prices Have Consumers Undeterred. Here’s Why.Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
IndependentsMay 13, 2024
Zachary’s Jewelers Names Mother’s Day Jewelry Contest WinnersThree fifth graders’ winning designs were turned into custom jewelry pieces in time for Mother’s Day.
Weekly QuizMay 09, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
IndependentsMay 10, 2024
Frank Adams Jewelers Names New CEOKimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
CollectionsMay 10, 2024
Piece of the Week: Carina Hardy’s ‘Birth of Venus’ NecklaceAs a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
Brought to you by
From Registration to Return: 10 Tips to Protect You Before, During and After a TradeshowTradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
TrendsMay 09, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Shine Bright, Moms Show your mother some love with a piece of fine jewelry.
IndependentsMay 09, 2024
Kyle Edward Fine Jewelry to Close Salisbury StoreThe company’s Easton location will remain open.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2024
Fusing Past and Present at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
EditorsMay 07, 2024
Q&A: Author Vikki Tobak on the ‘Ice-Cold’ ExhibitionTobak, author of “Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History,” shares how the exhibition came to be, and the pieces people may be surprised to see.
EditorsMay 07, 2024
10 On-Theme Looks from the 2024 Met GalaStars adorned themselves in emeralds, platinum, and myriad bird motifs, writes Associate Editor Natalie Francisco.
IndependentsMay 07, 2024
112-Year-Old New Orleans Business Popping Up in Aspen M.S. Rau is set to open a seasonal gallery in the high-end resort town early next month.
MajorsMay 07, 2024
Richemont Acquires Italian Jeweler VhernierThe branded jewelry market is thriving, said Richemont Chairman Johann Rupert.
CollectionsMay 07, 2024
These ‘Luminaries’ Are Set to Light Up CoutureThe six designers, all participants in the show’s Diversity Action Council mentorship program, will exhibit in Salon 634.
AuctionsMay 07, 2024
Sotheby’s to Auction Sylvester Stallone’s WatchesThe highlight of his collection is the coveted Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, which could sell for up to $5 million.
CollectionsMay 07, 2024
Phillip Gavriel Pays Tribute to Venice With New CollectionThe “Venetian Link” series modernizes the classic Veneziana box chain in its bracelets and necklaces.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2024
JA Now Accepting Applications for New Bench Jeweler ScholarshipThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship will provide tuition assistance to two low-income students.
Policies & IssuesMay 06, 2024
Rolex Files Objection to Hallmark’s New Trademark ApplicationThe Swiss watchmaker said the company’s plans to use a new version of the Hallmark crown on jewelry would confuse consumers.
EditorsMay 06, 2024
Q&A: 8 Questions With Anglo American’s Benny Oeyen The executive talked about the importance of self-purchasers and how fuel cell electric vehicles are going to fuel demand for platinum.
MajorsMay 06, 2024
Malabar Gold & Diamonds Opens 4th U.S. ShowroomThe Indian jeweler’s new store in Naperville, Illinois marks its 350th location, part of its ongoing global expansion plans.
Events & AwardsMay 06, 2024
Ben Bridge Jeweler Accepting Applications for Lonia Tate ScholarshipIt will award a graduating high school student with about $10,000 toward a GIA diploma and an internship with the Seattle-based jeweler.
CrimeMay 03, 2024
Second Suspect Arrested in Murder of Colorado JewelerWheat Ridge, Colorado police took a 50-year-old man into custody Wednesday following a two-month search.
CollectionsMay 03, 2024
A Sneak Peek Into PGI’s Couture Platinum Spotlight ProgramPGI partnered with four new and seven returning designers for its annual platinum capsule collection.
MajorsMay 03, 2024
Kristie Nicolosi Joins WJA Board AgainNicolosi, president and CEO of The Kingswood Company, previously sat on WJA’s board from 2011 to 2018.
CollectionsMay 03, 2024
Piece of the Week: A “Bit of LUV” for the DerbyKarina Brez’s race-ready piece is a sophisticated nod to the horse-rider relationship.
