Novartis Discrimination Suit Gains Class Action Status

A judge has ruled that a gender-discrimination suit against Novartis may proceed as a class action suit, while also granting the company’s motion for summary judgment that Novartis is not liable for the actions of its Novartis Pharmaceuticals subsidiary.

In the case, 19 women currently or formerly employed in sales-related positions at Novartis Pharmaceuticals are suing for $200 million, claiming the company discriminates against them, according to an amended complaint filed in March 2006. The suit was originally filed in November 2004 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Judge Gerard Lynch July 31 granted the plaintiffs’ motion that the class named in the suit be defined as any women who currently or formerly held sales-related jobs at Novartis Pharmaceuticals between July 15, 2002, and the present.

The plaintiffs allege there is a “pattern and practice of discrimination” against female employees at the company, including harassment, pay and promotion disparities, and denial of rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act, according to Lynch’s July 31 opinion.