Sexual Harassment Claims Arising Against Zales, Kay

March 4, 2017

Almost 250 women and men are making sexual harassment claims against one of the nation’s largest jewelry companies, Sterling Jewelers, which operates under the name of Kay Jewelers and Jared the Galleria of Jewelry.

Claims of demeaning women and encouraging sexual discrimination are sweeping headlines.

Among the declarations, there are reports of a rape, male managers cavorting in a swimming pool with topless female employees at a mandatory manager’s conference and a witness who tells of a male manager suggesting that a female co-worker swipe a credit card between her breasts.

The declarations portray Sterling Jewelers as fostering a workplace where senior men treated young saleswomen as sexual objects, including groping, demeaning and demanding sex in return for better jobs and job security.

These declarations are part of a private class-action arbitration case first filed in 2008. It alleged female employees at the conglomerate were routinely sexually harassed, paid less and passed over for promotion at Sterling, which operates close to 1,500 stores in the United States.

There are statements that have come to light that describe top male managers at the company sending “scouting” parties to stores to find female staffers to target for sex.

The managers so frequently demanded sex from female workers in exchange for better positions within the company that there was an internal phrase for it called “going to the big stage.”

The class-action case includes 69,000 current and former females employees of Sterling.

Requests for sexual favors and physical conduct of a sexual nature are all forms of sexual harassment. If you are being harassed by being asked or told to perform sexual favors, call our Florida Sexual Harassment Lawyers at Whittel & Melton at 866-608-5529 to discuss your case. Your consultation is always free and everything discussed is kept fully confidential.

If you feel that you have been passed over for a promotion because you refused to sexually engage with a supervisor, or have otherwise been asked to perform sexual acts by people at your job, please let us help. Sexual harassment is serious and if you are a victim of such illegal activity in the workplace, we want to help you obtain justice. We can answer all of your questions and protect your rights throughout the duration of your case. Contact us online to request a free consultation with us.