Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. has settled the remainder of gender bias claims brought by women field representatives who claimed they were discriminated against in pay, promotion and in pregnancy policies. The company and lawyers for plaintiffs, led by David Sanford of Sanford, Wittels & Heisler, announced the company will pay upwards of $152.5 million to potentially thousands of female employees who are current or former sales representatives from 2002 to 2007. About $60 million of the settlement will cover back pay.
The agreement, which still must be approved by a federal judge in Manhattan, also calls for an additional $22.5 million to be paid for company programs to eliminate discrimination.
