United States: Goldman Sachs targeted by more than 1,400 sexual harassment complaints

A federal judge in New York has set June 5 to begin a class action lawsuit against Goldman Sachs BankMore than 1,400 employees and former employees have been accused of gender discrimination and harassment.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs, who served as partners or vice presidents, filed court documents Thursday that include seven counts of aggravated sexual assault (rape and attempted rape) incriminating testimony against the American investment bank. The charges include at least 75 cases of inappropriate behavior in the workplace (touching, inappropriate comments, solicitation of sex) and pay discrimination or denial of promotion based on employees’ gender.

Plaintiffs’ lawyers decry a corporate culture conducive to sexist and misogynistic behavior. “Goldman is aware of these issues and tolerates officers who engage in gender stereotyping, sexual harassment and/or gender patronage,” they write. The facts being tested date back to July 2002 and almost a decade back. The class action commenced in 2010.

“I believe this case will finally help break the glass ceiling for women on Wall Street and set a precedent for other industries where gender discrimination is rampant,” said Christina Sen-Oster, one of the lead plaintiffs in the class action. Press release. “We have to do transparent procedures that have seemed untouchable so far,” he added.

“The allegations made by the complainants do not reflect the reality of Goldman Sachs,” a spokeswoman for the bank told AFP. “Many of these allegations are more than 20 years old and are selective, inaccurate and incomplete,” he continued. “Discrimination, harassment and abuse are unacceptable at Goldman Sachs and are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination, when we identify them,” the representative added. The bank declined to comment on individual cases “out of respect for the victims”.