Insurance broker Willis Group Holdings said a federal court in New York has given preliminary approval to the settlement of a gender discrimination class action suit.
The suit, filed against the company in 2001, raised issues of gender discrimination in compensation and promotion during the period of Oct. 31, 1998 through Dec. 31, 2001. It affected employees of Willis of New York, Willis of New Jersey and Willis of Massachusetts.
Willis said it denies any discrimination took place.
The proposed consent decree, if approved, will create a fund of approximately $8.5 million that will be distributed to certain current and former female employees of those offices. The settlement was reached in June 2007 and was reflected in the second-quarter financials.
The firm said 188 women, both current and former employees, were involved in the class action.
“Willis is an employer which values diversity,” Susan Sztuka, global group director of human resources, said in a statement. “We reward and respect each and every associate equally. It's important to note that the alleged claims of this lawsuit date back to 1998-2001 and we are pleased to have it settled.”
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