Best Buy Slapped with Discrimination Suit.
Taken from the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.
"In their 23-page complaint, the plaintiffs (three African-American men and three minority women) allege Best Buy denied them promotions and gave them fewer hours and unequal work assignments and pay opportunities. For example, women are steered into cashier jobs and away from more lucrative jobs like selling home theater systems, the suit alleges.
The suit alleges that plaintiff Cheryl Chappel, a black woman, has been at Best Buy since 2001, working at its Chico and Mira Mesa stores in California. Two years ago, Chappel sought promotion to operations supervisor after two years in that department. Despite "excellent performance reviews,'' Chappel was passed over for the promotion in favor of a part-time male employee who had only four months of service at the Chico store, the suit alleges.
"Best Buy managers told Chappel she was not promoted to supervisor because it was 'a man thing.' Later, Chappel was told that Best Buy employed few women on the sales floor because 'girls can't sell,' " the lawsuit alleges."
Wow! To read the full article click here
posted by Molly Tillyer @ 8:34 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Hi there Mcwright. I called and left a message for you on your voice mail. Do you work at the Chico or Mira Mesa store? Are you aware of the lawsuit filed against the Best Buy there? Have you been denied promotions, treated less favorably in terms of work assignments, benefits, etc? I'd love to talk to you. Keep in mind, I'm not an attorney - just someone who has had to deal with a bad boss. If you haven't already, please read the blog entries from November 28 and 29th (they should give you some guidance in how to proceed - if that's what you want to do). Did you make your complaint in writing and what words did you use?
McWright - I'm Gail of Projectgail. I am not an attorney so I cannot give you legal advice; however, I have worked as an EEO/AA professional for the past 19 years and can give you some practical advice. If you don't get action from your company, you might want to check with the attorneys who are handling the class action discrimination suit against Best Buy, but here are some things you need to have available for them:
1. the date of the recording and the names of the two supervisors (be prepared to state how you got that recording because it might not be admissable)
2. what impact, if any, your boss's bias has on your job (e.g., poor assignments, less pay, less promotions, etc.) and on your person (e.g., nervous stomach, headaches, etc.)
3. what efforts you have made to report him (e.g., date and type of contact, person contacted, job title of person contacted, what you said, what they said/did
4. what company policies, if any, are at play; cite the policy number, the policy title, and quote from any pertinent parts. If there is a company policy regarding reporting complaints, make sure you follow it to the letter.
5. document everything - date and time if possible, who said what, who was present, etc. I cannot stress this enough! Get copies of company policies.
Many companies want to do the right thing; unfortunately, some companies have individuals who don't. Good luck and keep us posted.
Post a Comment
|<< Home