Judge dismisses majority of gender discrimination suits

On Behalf of | Sep 11, 2013 | Workplace Discrimination

A Manhattan federal judge has dismissed five of the six gender discrimination claims filed against the Bloomberg Financial News Corporation. The plaintiffs are current and former employees who claimed their careers were negatively impacted six years ago when they requested maternity leave. The New York mayor’s namesake company has considered this decision a major win.

The female judge based her decision on the lack of sufficient evidence proving the plaintiffs were victims of bias. She indicated that the actions of the company had repercussions for male employees as well and ruled out additional claims by the United States Equal Employment Commission representing 29 women.

A statement made by the Bloomberg’s chief executive officer affirmed corporate approval of the court’s decision, adding their company is an exemplary workplace that has long represented generous benefits and policies.

Of the one remaining plaintiff, it is anticipated that, although some of her claims were also dismissed, a portion of her case will move forward. As of now, no date has been set. The New York mayor is not a defendant in the lawsuit but these allegations have placed him in an awkward position. He was required to undergo extensive questioning regarding claims females in his company were unjustly harassed, terminated or demoted.

The federal judge’s ruling on the case denied further claims initiated by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Initial class-action lawsuits might have affected hundreds of plaintiffs but the judge found no evidence of widespread discrimination.

In her decision last week, the judge reprimanded the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for failing to vet the women in its haste to arrive at a settlement in court. She stated that the commission had failed its obligations to pre-litigate. Legal spokespersons for the plaintiffs were unavailable for comments.

Attempts to eliminate the glass ceiling on the job have met with mixed success regardless of legal and social strides achieved by women. Workplace discrimination is a violation of our basic rights. Anyone who feels these rights have been compromised would be wise to seek advice on the best ways to remedy this situation.

Source: 
nynews.com, “Judge tosses most plaintiffs in discrimination suit against Bloomberg, L.P.” Daniel Beekman, Sep. 09, 2013

FindLaw Network