Panasonic Corporation of North America (PNA) is being sued for race and sex discrimination by three female executives
March 11, 2014Panasonic Corporation of North America (PNA) is being sued for race and sex discrimination by three female executives who claim the corporation has engaged in a continuing pattern and practice of discrimination against non-Asian minorities and women. The case was filed in New Jersey Superior Court in Newark.
In their Complaint, Glorina Cruz, Sandra Karriem, and Marilyn (Penny) Joseph claim that only three African-American employees are executive level, out of 119 executives at PNA. All three are suing for discrimination. The suit alleges that non-Asian minorities and women are paid lower wages than white and Asian men, and are discriminated against in promotion decisions and job assignments.
Based in Newark, New Jersey, PNA is a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the Japanese parent, Panasonic Corporation. Not one African-American male is currently in the executive management of PNA, according to the suit.
Plaintiff Glorina Cruz is an 18 year employee who was listed as the successor to the Vice President of Human Resources, a job she frequently performed well in an “acting” capacity. Ms. Cruz was the only African-American on the succession list. But when the position became open, unlike white men who were chosen as successors, Ms. Cruz was not promoted to Vice President of Human Resources. Instead, PNA hired Steve Safier, a white man who Ms. Cruz claims is significantly less-qualified. .
Plaintiff Sandra Karriem is a graduate of Princeton University, magna cum laude, and Columbia University School of Law. She joined the PNA Legal Department in 1999. When the lawsuit was filed in March of this year, Ms. Karriem was the only woman and the only African-American in the Legal Department. Ms. Karriem claims she was repeatedly passed over for promotion and assignments which would advance her career in favor of white men. She also claims she was paid less than her white male co-workers.
Plaintiff Marilyn “Penny” Joseph was the first African-American female executive at PNA, joining the company in 1989. Ms. Joseph claims that she has been subjected to a continual pattern and practice of race and sex discrimination including unequal pay, lost promotion opportunities, harassment, and retaliation. Ms. Joseph claims that PNA takes advantage of her stature in the community by using her as a public figure in order to mislead the public about PNA’s lack of diversity.
The three plaintiffs also allege that employees who complain about discrimination or harassment suffer retaliation.
After examining the facts outlined in the Complaint, the National Action Network and the New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP have asked those who care about equal opportunity to consider this case in making decisions as personal and business consumers.
For more information, contact:
THE NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK
