Former Polo employees claim bias, sue designer

Jet, March 18, 2002

Former employees of the popular Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation recently filed a lawsuit against Polo alleging that the clothing manufacturer favors blond-hair, blue-eyed workers rather than minorities.

Henry Williams, who is Black, and Gerardeen Benedict, a Filipino, filed their job bias suit in Manhattan federal court.

The suit stems from a two-year probe by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which found that Manhattan-based Polo sought to maintain a "blond hair and blue eyes image" and often promoted such employees over more qualified and experienced minorities.

Polo denies all allegations, according to spokeswoman Ellen Maguire.

Williams, who worked for Polo from January 1995 to November 1999, was in charge of the company's merchandising at Saks Fifth Avenue, then Bloomingdale's and other stores. The suit says the EEOC found White staffers in similar posts were promoted to managerial or executive positions with significant salary increases.

However, the suit alleged Williams was rewarded with more work without more pay. His top salary was $39,000, while White employees in similar posts got $50,000 or more, the suit alleged.

Benedict, who has a doctorate in psychology, worked as a recruiter for Polo for 2 1/2 years starting in 1997. She was entrusted with overseeing Polo's affirmative action and diversity programs. Though her qualifications were "far above average," she was not promoted on par with Polo's White employees, claimed attorney Steven Arenson, who represents the plaintiffs. Her raises amounted to 14 percent, while a White woman doing similar work got an 80 percent pay raise, Arenson alleged.