Sanofi-Aventis Settles $15 Million Sex Discrimination Suit

 By Sarah Pierce

Drug-maker Sanofi-Aventis (who makes Allegra and Ambien, among others) has agreed to pay $15.4 million to settle a class action lawsuit that accuses the company of underpaying and underpromoting about 4,000 female U.S. sales reps. The suit claims Sanofi “grooms” male reps for training courses and promotions that are denied to women. One woman’s request for a raise was met with a dismissive “your husband must make money.”

After attorney fees, the 4,000 women will receive just over $2,000 each. That seems like little vindication, but the real value come from this: Sanofi has also agreed to give all female reps who make less than their male counterparts a raise. Lawyers estimate this could add another $10 million to the pot.

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Updated March 18th, 2010

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