Walgreen Co.
On 7 March 2007, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) launched a class action lawsuit against Walgreen Co., the biggest drugstore chain in America, in terms of sales revenue.
This suit allegedly states Walgreen discriminates against its African American employees in terms of store assignments and promotion opportunities. In 2005, a private suit was launched against Walgreen but that failed so the EEOC stepped in.
Filed in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis, Ill., this lawsuit is launched by the EEOC to represent a group of current and former employees in Detroit, Tampa, Florida, St. Louis and Kansas City. This action reportedly followed after Walgreen staff submitted over 20 complaints across America.
The suit charges that Walgreen sent African American employees to predominantly minority neighborhoods that were also where low-performing stores were situated. This in turn dramatically decreased their chances for promotion that was based on sales figures. Additionally, work conditions were worse in such locations due to much higher crime rates.
Walgreen employees who have suffered this discrimination must have been employed since Jan 1, 2001. If Walgreen is indeed to be found in illegally involved in unfair employment practices, victims can claim back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, plus a stop to these biased employment policies.
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