Sales Representatives Sue Sanofi-Aventis for Gender Discrimination

Four female sales representatives have sued sanofi-aventis for $300 million in a sexual discrimination lawsuit, saying they experienced a pervasive bias in the company environment.

The current and former employees are seeking class action status on the gender discrimination complaint, which names both sanofi-aventis and its U.S. division as defendants, according to Sanford, Wittels & Heisler, one of the firms representing the plaintiffs.

The women experienced “pervasive” and “systemic gender discrimination and bias” in the company’s dealings with female employees, the law firm said. In the complaint, the plaintiffs say they were overlooked for promotions and received disparate pay and lower raises than male colleagues despite superior sales performances.

In addition, some of the plaintiffs experienced sexual harassment and a hostile work environment, with managers and co-workers making misogynistic slurs and lewd comments, as well as using sexually suggestive language, according to the complaint.