Employee Gender Discrimination

New York, NY: (Oct-20-07) A class action lawsuit was brought against Willis Group Holdings , the global insurance broker, alleging that the company discriminated against its employees on the basis of gender in compensation and promotion. The suit, filed in 2001, claimed that the company had discriminatory practices during the period October 31, 1998 through December 31, 2001. The suit was filed on behalf of employees of Willis of New York, Willis of New Jersey and Willis of Massachusetts. Though the company denied the allegations, it agreed to settle in June 2007 with a payout of approximately $8.5 million that will be distributed to certain current and former female employees of those offices. The company stated that the settlement will be reflected in the 2nd quarter financials. [YAHOO: EMPLOYEE GENDER BIAS]