After 5 years as a dedicated employee of Sterling Jewelers, Kristin Henry was suddenly accused of theft and swiftly terminated. She alleges that she was targeted after deciding to report sexual harassment at the hands of her supervisor. Later, 69,000 women filed a class action lawsuit against the billion dollar company, bravely coming forward with stories that are eerily similar to Henry's. They say the parent company to Kay Jewelers and Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, has a culture of rampant discrimination, harassment, and assault.
Sterling Jewelers CEO Mark Light was named in the suit and is accused of having sexual relationships with female employees, in exchange for their career advancement. Despite countless women coming forward, he still has a job. Sign the petition and demand his resignation, now.
Former employees say that Sterling’s mandatory manager meetings were known to be “no-spouses allowed” events where male superiors routinely plied female subordinates with alcohol; often forcibly touching and aggressively pursuing them. It was understood that rebuffing advances might cost an employee their job. Statements allege that sexism was rooted in the recruiting process, with top male managers holding “scouting parties” to find female employees based on physical attributes that they found attractive.
Like many US companies, workers agree to waive their right to bring employer-related grievances to public court. That means the victims of the harmful culture at Sterling Jewelers are forced to settle quietly in arbitration, which can drag on for years. One employee even died waiting for a resolution.
Countless women have come forward, but Sterling Jewelers insists all claims are "unsubstantiated."
We can help hold the company and its CEO accountable
for fostering a culture of discrimination against women. Sign the petition and
request that Mark Light resign, immediately.
More information
The Washington Post. 27 February 2017.