Yesterday, six current and former employees filed a lawsuit against Citigroup in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging that the company paid women employees less than male employees. In addition, the lawsuit claims that Citigroup is more apt to lay off qualified women instead of less-qualified men. The sexual discrimination claims raised in the lawsuit are similar to those raised against other financial institutions.
The complaint filed in federal court in New York refers to the environment at Citigroup as a “boys club,” which is similar to what is generally claimed with respect to other financial institutions in sex discrimination cases. The lawsuit seeks recognition by the court that the plaintiffs should be permitted to proceed as a class action, thereby including other women employed by the company.