Another Lawsuit

Quest hit with $100 million gender discrimination suit



* Suit seeks $100 million in damages

* Company "grooms junior male employees"

* Discriminates against female workers

By Jennifer Golson

NEW JERSEY , Jan 12 (Reuters) - Female sales representatives at Quest Diagnostics Inc on Thursday filed a $100 million federal lawsuit against the company, accusing the medical testing giant of gender discrimination.

Filed in U.S. District Court in New Jersey, the lawsuit seeks class-action status on behalf of "hundreds" of current and former female sales representatives who worked at the New Jersey-based company since Feb. 17, 2010 .

The suit, which was brought by Erin Beery and Heather

Traeger , sales managers who are employed by Quest subsidiary AmeriPath Inc, says that Quest "grooms junior male employees for leadership positions," while fostering "an environment hostile to the success and advancement of female employees ."

"Quest has known or should have known that its business practices - including, but not limited to, its promotion, discipline, demotion, evaluation, and compensation practices - have an illegal disparate impact on female employees, employees with family responsibilities, and pregnant employees," the lawsuit says. "Despite this knowledge, Quest has failed to take measures to rectify such illegal disparate impact."

According to the suit, two women in Quest's upper management, Michele Zwickl, vice president of sales for AmeriPath and Tara Botarelli, AmeriPath sales director for the East, "encourage and support" an "old boys' club," at the company.

Beery and Traeger accuse Quest of favoring male employees when it comes to promotions and pay and discriminating against workers who are pregnant and have caretaking responsibilities. The company also engages in sexual harassment and retaliates against workers who report harassment, the suit says.

Of 17 people in Quest's management, four are women, the suit says. Only two of the nine members on Quest's board of directors are women, according to the suit.

In a statement, Quest Diagnostics spokeswoman Wendy Bost said the company hadn't yet been served with or seen a copy of the lawsuit. "Quest Diagnostics is an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be routinely recognized as a top employer in communities around the U.S," she said.

The complaint is Erin Beery and Heather Traeger et al v. Quest Diagnostics Inc. and AmeriPath Inc, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey. Docket number not immediately available.

 

Probably all true, but NOTHING compared to another forthcoming lawsuit.

 

what's the forthcoming lawsuit about?

 

Why the rolled eyes? It should come as no shock that another big lawsuit is in the works. I do know its forthcoming, at least the one that I am aware of. God knows how many others.

 

Well, I rolled my eyes b/c if you don't know you must live in a middle management bubble. That is why that aggressive & belligerent upper manager showed up on the scene.

 

They should have given the AmeriPath managers pay raises, afterall the business only declined ~10%.

 

Guess what company Michele Zwickl and Tara Botterelli worked at, prior to coming to Quest/Ameripath?

 

Seriously?

 

You all wonder...senate probes...discriminate...harass...gov. fraud...keep your eye on what is right.

 

Many thanks to Siemens, for all this!

 

This is too funny. DGX spends a ton for AmeriPath, $2B, the division has negative growth ~10% and the people working there filed a suit for a $100m. Sounds like they want commission for a job well done. LMAO

 

Which women? The ones that filed the LS or the ones protecting the old' boys network?

 

Rumor...CP is in bed w corporate. LS heading their way?

 

Old boy network, Really?

 

Old boy club...whatever...read LS and not on CP.

 

Read it, not impressed.

 

Why?

 

No evidence whatsoever of any forthcoming lawsuits. More whiner nonsense. Post evidence or shut up.

I'm also interested in what kind of proof these ladies have to claim discrimination with.

 

Uh, agree this is all a disaster, but the stuff about Ameripath declining revenue is way off base. Think they are the only part of Quest actually growing and doing well!

 

You don't post evidence on CP. Your still sore about your $241 million false claim LS settlement in California. Cal Attorney General Harris dept. justice was happy. Assuming that these women are lying for financial gain is idiotic. You need to invest in a good risk assessment manager.