AuctionsJan 31, 2025
Elizabeth Taylor’s Diamond Bracelet Outshines Estimate at U.K. AuctionThe auction also featured the sale of a Cartier necklace made when Egyptomania was sweeping Great Britain.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
CollectionsJan 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lalaounis’ Good Luck Charm for 2025The “Blossom Rosette” blooms with love, beauty, and hope for the year ahead.
IndependentsJan 31, 2025
Harvey Rovinsky, Longtime Owner of Bernie Robbins Jewelers, Dies at 77Rovinsky is remembered as a great mentor who made the employees of his stores feel like family.
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
Events & AwardsJan 31, 2025
Facets of Fire Has a Diamond Challenge for RetailersFor every jeweler who tries their luck, the company will make a donation to Jewelers for Children.
Weekly QuizJan 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesJan 30, 2025
RJC Executive Director Melanie Grant Is Stepping Down An experienced jewelry writer and curator, Grant led the organization for two years.
CollectionsJan 30, 2025
Pharrell Williams Brings Tahitian Pearls to His New Tiffany & Co. CollectionFive new designs were added, all donning Tahitian cultured pearls and spear-like trident motifs, along with the new “Titan” setting.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
Events & AwardsJan 30, 2025
Registration Open for Converge 2025The inaugural event is being co-hosted by the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America.
CollectionsJan 29, 2025
Boucheron’s High Jewelry Takes the Form of ‘Untamed Nature’The jeweler’s latest high jewelry collection looks into the Boucheron archives to create a “living encyclopedia of high jewelry.”
FinancialsJan 29, 2025
LVMH Watch, Jewelry Sales End the Year DownWatch and jewelry sales slipped 3 percent in 2024, though the luxury conglomerate did see business pick up in the fourth quarter.
MajorsJan 29, 2025
Chanel Names New General Manager of Watches, Fine Jewelry for USOlivier Kessler-Gay will take over the role on March 3.
SurveysJan 29, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips for Second Consecutive Month It hit a four-month low in January due to concerns about the job market, though consumers remain bullish about the stock market.
Events & AwardsJan 29, 2025
Chris Ploof To Teach Mokume Gane at AJSThe jewelry designer and master metalsmith will present on the ancient Japanese metalworking technique at the Atlanta Jewelry Show in March.
SourcingJan 28, 2025
WFDB Joins Efforts to Promote Natural Diamonds With New CampaignThe “Moments” social media campaign emphasizes the emotional ties between natural diamonds and life’s special milestones.
CollectionsJan 28, 2025
Bliss Lau Celebrates the Intricate Mosaic of Identity in New CollectionThe versatile “As We Are” collection features 14 pieces with interlocking designs allowing for 27 different looks worn around the body.
SourcingJan 28, 2025
Botswana’s First Olympic Gold Medalist Is Now a De Beers Ambassador Letsile Tebogo will help to promote natural diamonds and the good they have done for his country.
Events & AwardsJan 28, 2025
NouvelleBox Show Returns to New York CityThe showcase, in its second year, will feature more than 20 international brands at its curated event from Feb. 2-4.
Recorded WebinarsJan 28, 2025
Watch: Fine Jewelry Market Predictions for 2025 “My Next Question” guests Sherry Smith and Edahn Golan share their 2025 forecasts, from sales and marketing to what retailers should stock.
Events & AwardsJan 28, 2025
Here Is the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson Educational LineupThe seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.
MajorsJan 27, 2025
Le Vian Corp. Chairman Larry LeVian, a Man of Faith and Family, Dies at 73 LeVian is remembered for his leadership in the jewelry industry and for being a selfless and compassionate person.
CrimeJan 27, 2025
New Jersey Jeweler Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years for Evading CustomsMonishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah pleaded guilty to evading customs on more than $13.5 million of jewelry imported into the U.S.
SourcingJan 27, 2025
Dev Shetty To Head New Auction House for Rare Colored GemsJemora Gemhouse’s inaugural auction, slated for March, will take place in Dubai and feature polished sapphires.
CollectionsJan 27, 2025
Rachel Quinn Embodies Feelings of Falling in Love in New CollectionQuinn partnered with Gemfields to create “Crazy Love,” which features Zambian emeralds and Mozambican rubies across 10 pieces.
MajorsJan 27, 2025
Arch Crown’s 2025 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is Out Now The catalog is 48 pages and features more than 100 styles.
CollectionsJan 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Ashley Zhang Jewelry’s Lunar New Year NecklaceThe one-of-a-kind necklace was designed in celebration of the Chinese New Year, as 2025 is the Year of the Snake.
SourcingJan 24, 2025
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to Tucson The gemstone show is slated to take place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
