Thousands Claim Sex Discrimination At National Jewelry Chain

The women claim that Sterling Jewelers, parent company of Kay Jewelers, Zales, and Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, has a corporate culture of sexual aggression, gender discrimination, and abuses of power, according to newly released documents reviewed by the New York Times. The documents are part of a private class-action arbitration case pending against the company. The 69,000 class members accuse the company of discrimination by denying female employees equal pay and promotion opportunities. Sterling’s parent company, Signet Jewelers Limited, said it investigated the sexual misconduct claims and found them to be without merit, and argues that accusations of discrimination misrepresent company culture. The new wave of public accusations come on top of previously released documents that mention Signet’s CEO, Mark Light, at a pool party with female employees in various states of undress.