Nike (NYSE:NKE) has been hit with a lawsuit as some of the company’s female employees claimed that the company has gender discrimination practices and the way some of the men behave is reminiscent of a fraternity house.
Here’s what you should know:
Four women filed suit against the athletics apparel maker over a reported culture of sexual harassment and unequal treatment of women.
- The class-action lawsuit was filed last Thursday in the U.S. District Court in Portland.
- The move is one of the first such suits to hit Nike since there were a number of complaints regarding the company paying women less, while its male employees have been harassing them sexually
- The company has been attempting to make amends for this behavior by dismissing at least 11 executives in March and April.
- However, some believe that the move was too little, too late, including employment lawyer Laura Salerno Owens. “Nike has a real good-old-boy’s culture,” the Markowitz Herbold attorney said. “Women came into the company paid less than men, then they are ranked more harshly and, as a result, got smaller raises and bonuses,” she added.
- The suit accuses the company of violating the Federal Equal Pay Act, the Oregon Equal Pay Act and the Oregon Equality Act.
- The women are not seeking monetary damages as they simply want the company to pay its employees fairly regardless of gender.
NKE stock was down about 0.7% during regular trading hours Monday following news of the lawsuit.