U.S. Supreme Court Set to Rule on Walmart Gender-bias Case

Walmart Stores, Inc. faces one the biggest challenges in its 40 year existence. The U.S. Supreme Court is preparing to rule on the largest gender-bias cases in business history. The ruling has long term effect not only for Walmart, but the business community a whole.

The case potentially involves more than 1.6 million current and former female associates, who allege gender discrimination. The six plaintiffs who began the lawsuit more than 10 years ago have argued Walmart has systematically promoted men over qualified women.

The lawyers for the plaintiffs stated," there is extensive oversight of the decisions they make [store managers]." Lawyers contend the policies followed by the managers are a part of the corporate culture. They continue to state the policies of Walmart foster "gender stereotyping and discrimination."

Countering the claims of the plaintiffs is Executive Vice President of People, Gisel Ruiz. As the corporate liaison for Walmart, Ruiz states she has not encountered discrimination throughout her career and the company as a whole has zero tolerance for such behavior. Ruiz claims associates at all levels are held accountable for violations of corporate discrimination policies.

The lawyers for Walmart claim the case is too large to litigate stating the dangers for all American businesses. Walmart states the lawsuit is "huge, costly and baseless." With the business community supporting Walmart, the end result is a change in the scope of the business landscape. Walmart claims there should be a "large-company exception" whereas the class action is "impractical". The lawyers for the plaintiffs state that there should not be a large-company exception in relation to civil rights claims.

Walmart has had its share of discrimination claims. In 2003, cases were brought against the company and resolved. In 2001, Walmart settled a case involving African American truck drivers.

Information from the company claims more than two-thirds of the 1.4 million U.S associates are women, either hourly or salaried managers. Countering the claims are the lawyers for the plaintiffs stating the information is "flawed and misleading." As of 2001, only 14 percent of store manager positions were held by women and more than 80 percent of hourly positions were held by women.

The result of the decision from the Supreme Court of the United States could result in billions of dollars in settlement costs and trickle to the business community as a whole.