Female workers allege bias at Goldman Sachs
THREE women who formerly worked for Goldman Sachs are suing the Wall Street giant for what they say is rampant gender discrimination that unfairly favours men in pay and promotions.
The lawsuit filed yesterday alleges that Goldman has violated federal and New York City laws by engaging in a systematic “pattern and practice” of discrimination against female professionals at the firm. They are asking a federal judge to certify the case as a class-action suit on behalf of the firm’s female employees.
The three — a former vice president, a managing director and an associate — also are seeking damages from Goldman for emotional distress and humiliation they say they’ve suffered and for lost income.
And they want the firm to put in new policies for pay and promotion decisions.
“We believe this suit is without merit,” Goldman spokesman Lucas van Praag in New York said in a statement.
It added: “People are critical to our business, and we make extraordinary efforts to recruit, develop and retain outstanding women professionals.”
The suit was filed in the US District Court in New York.