Corporate Statement Regarding the Recent Settlement of an Employment Discrimination Lawsuit

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Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. today announced the settlement of the case of EEOC (Janice Smith) v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., an employment discrimination lawsuit that was filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on August 24, 2001, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. today announced the settlement of the case of EEOC (Janice Smith) v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., an employment discrimination lawsuit that was filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on August 24, 2001, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. The lawsuit was filed in the name of former Walmart associate Janice Smith, asserting a class of all females who made application or transfer requests for entry-level positions at the Walmart Distribution Center in London, Kentucky, from 1998 to February 2005, and who were not hired or transferred into the positions for which they applied. The EEOC alleged that the company based hiring decisions on gender, and sought back pay for those females not selected for hire or transfer during the relevant time period, plus compensatory and punitive damages and injunctive relief. The case was scheduled to begin trial on March 1, 2010.

The total amount to be paid by Walmart under the settlement is approximately $12 million. In addition, the company has agreed to certain enhancements of its hiring and training measures at the London, Kentucky, Distribution Center, and to make a specified number of positions at the Distribution Center available to female applicants. The settlement will not result in any charge to the company’s results of operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2011.

The company is pleased that this matter has been resolved. This case does not reflect Walmart's continuing commitment to build an even more diverse and inclusive workplace through hiring and training initiatives. Walmart respects and values the unique talents each associate contributes to the company's ability to make a difference in the lives of our customers.

News Source : Corporate Statement Regarding the Recent Settlement of an Employment Discrimination Lawsuit