Fired Wal-Mart worker who claimed gender bias awarded $31M

[rooster59]

Fired Wal-Mart worker who claimed gender bias awarded $31M

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A jury has awarded more than $31 million in damages to a former Wal-Mart pharmacist in New Hampshire who claimed she was wrongly fired after reporting safety concerns about co-workers dispensing prescriptions.

Maureen McPadden was a 13-year employee who reported her concerns to management while working in Wal-Mart's Seabrook pharmacy. She was fired in 2012 after losing her pharmacy key.

The jury awarded most of the money Thursday based on gender discrimination claims, but also found Wal-Mart's conduct was retaliation for her complaints about safety issues and/or privacy violations.

McPadden, 51, said she was confident she would prevail even before the jury announced its verdicts after about three hours of deliberations.

"I honestly feel the jurors listened intently," she told The Associated Press. "I really feel they wanted to send a message that the little guy has a voice, that Wal-Mart did something wrong."

Randy Hargrove, director of media relations nationally the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company, said Wal-Mart will ask the court to set aside the verdict or reduce the damages.

"We do not tolerate discrimination of any type and neither that nor any concerns Ms. McPadden raised about her store's pharmacy played a role in her dismissal," Hargrove said.

McPadden testified that she was disciplined twice in the year before her termination because pharmacy technicians did not file required reports on two occasions.

Her lawyers, Richard Fradette and Lauren Irwin, said a male pharmacist at a Wal-Mart in Plaistow, New Hampshire, who lost a pharmacy key within the year after McPadden was terminated, was disciplined, but not fired.

McPadden said her mother and sister at times urged her to give up and move on in the three years leading up to trial, but said she was inspired by her late father to persevere.

"My father always told me that my job was very, very important and that I had a real duty to keep my patients safe," she said. "The conditions in the pharmacy were not safe. It was really in my soul to do something about it."

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-01-30

[ezzra]

Now this is without a doubt, a very just and propositional damages award to someone who was fired

from her job.... but why only 31 millions? what's wrong with 310 millions? the latter is as ludicrous

as much the former.....

[sirineou]

Now this is without a doubt, a very just and propositional damages award to someone who was fired

from her job.... but why only 31 millions? what's wrong with 310 millions? the latter is as ludicrous

as much the former.....

a smaller amount would had being peanuts for Walmart and more profitable to keep doing what they were doing, for the action to be punitive it would have to be substantial .

anyway , Walmart will appeal, if any award is ever collected it will be years from now.

Edited January 30, 2016 by sirineou

[Gsxrnz]

Now this is without a doubt, a very just and propositional damages award to someone who was fired

from her job.... but why only 31 millions? what's wrong with 310 millions? the latter is as ludicrous

as much the former.....

a smaller amount would had being peanuts for Walmart and more profitable to keep doing what they were doing, for the action to be punitive it would have to be substantial .

anyway , Walmart will appeal, if any award is ever collected it will be years from now.

I agree with it needing to be a large amount to be punitive, but 31M awarded to the woman is ridiculous. Give her a mill and let the rest be a fine that the state gets.

Are damage costs in the US tax deductible by the way?

Edited January 30, 2016 by Gsxrnz

[NeverSure]

Walmart may well settle for a much smaller amount. The plaintiff will probably want a sure and quick payout rather than waiting years for a maybe. Walmart would want to pay the smallest amount possible and put this behind them. I predict an out of court settlement with both parties sworn to silence.

FWIW I think the award is outrageous but that is the USA for you...

[sirineou]

Now this is without a doubt, a very just and propositional damages award to someone who was fired

from her job.... but why only 31 millions? what's wrong with 310 millions? the latter is as ludicrous

as much the former.....

a smaller amount would had being peanuts for Walmart and more profitable to keep doing what they were doing, for the action to be punitive it would have to be substantial .

anyway , Walmart will appeal, if any award is ever collected it will be years from now.

I agree with it needing to be a large amount to be punitive, but 31M awarded to the woman is ridiculous. Give her a mill and let the rest be a fine that the state gets.

Are damage costs in the US tax deductible by the way?

It is unfortunate that there is such disproportionate distribution of wealth in our society now days, but 31m is not really a lot of money Walmart posted $130,24 Billion gross profits for 2015 , This award , that is not final by the way, is a very small percentage of an annual gross profit. if their behavior increased their profit margin by only 2% even with this award it would be far more profitable to continue doing what they were doing. and as you said it tax delectable, As I said this award is not final, it will be tied in the courts for many many years and make many lawyers rich..

[razer]

Only way to redistribute wealth in the USA

[sambum]

Now this is without a doubt, a very just and propositional damages award to someone who was fired

from her job.... but why only 31 millions? what's wrong with 310 millions? the latter is as ludicrous

as much the former.....

a smaller amount would had being peanuts for Walmart and more profitable to keep doing what they were doing, for the action to be punitive it would have to be substantial .

anyway , Walmart will appeal, if any award is ever collected it will be years from now.

I agree with it needing to be a large amount to be punitive, but 31M awarded to the woman is ridiculous. Give her a mill and let the rest be a fine that the state gets.

Are damage costs in the US tax deductible by the way?

It is unfortunate that there is such disproportionate distribution of wealth in our society now days, but 31m is not really a lot of money Walmart posted $130,24 Billion gross profits for 2015 , This award , that is not final by the way, is a very small percentage of an annual gross profit. if their behavior increased their profit margin by only 2% even with this award it would be far more profitable to continue doing what they were doing. and as you said it tax delectable, As I said this award is not final, it will be tied in the courts for many many years and make many lawyers rich..

"31m is not really a lot of money" Wouldn't mind it in my bank account! I agree with the poster who said that the woman should get 1m and the rest go the state, or if not the state, then to some deserving cause or charity. These outrageous awards are one reason why there IS "such disproportionate distribution of wealth in our society", and I am not a "Yank basher", but the States is probably one of the prime offenders where common sense goes out of the window when money starts talking.

And P.S. - I love that expression "tax delectable"

[SOTIRIOS]

...considering how low their wages are....it seems excessive....

[up2u2]

I pittance. The damage award should have been $31 billion. The assets of the Board of Directors, CEO or major shareholders should be frozen until the payment is made in full with 30 days to pay or all company heads be arrested for contempt of Court and denied bail until such time as the money is paid.

Corporate America just has too much power and they need a lesson in that they are not above the Laws. Break them and you go to Jail or you have your money taken off you.

Maybe a good case to run would be a 100 Billion fine to repay taxpayers for subsidising their employees 'below the poverty line' wages that are paid by Wal - Mart and not one Nickel in deductibility.

[DoctorG]

Cannot see how this was a gender issue. Maybe there was more to it than the one example given on here.

[Ulic]

I pittance. The damage award should have been $31 billion. The assets of the Board of Directors, CEO or major shareholders should be frozen until the payment is made in full with 30 days to pay or all company heads be arrested for contempt of Court and denied bail until such time as the money is paid.

Corporate America just has too much power and they need a lesson in that they are not above the Laws. Break them and you go to Jail or you have your money taken off you.

Maybe a good case to run would be a 100 Billion fine to repay taxpayers for subsidising their employees 'below the poverty line' wages that are paid by Wal - Mart and not one Nickel in deductibility.

Why not 50 trillion

[sirineou]

a smaller amount would had being peanuts for Walmart and more profitable to keep doing what they were doing, for the action to be punitive it would have to be substantial .

anyway , Walmart will appeal, if any award is ever collected it will be years from now.

I agree with it needing to be a large amount to be punitive, but 31M awarded to the woman is ridiculous. Give her a mill and let the rest be a fine that the state gets.

Are damage costs in the US tax deductible by the way?

It is unfortunate that there is such disproportionate distribution of wealth in our society now days, but 31m is not really a lot of money Walmart posted $130,24 Billion gross profits for 2015 , This award , that is not final by the way, is a very small percentage of an annual gross profit. if their behavior increased their profit margin by only 2% even with this award it would be far more profitable to continue doing what they were doing. and as you said it tax delectable, As I said this award is not final, it will be tied in the courts for many many years and make many lawyers rich..

"31m is not really a lot of money" Wouldn't mind it in my bank account! I agree with the poster who said that the woman should get 1m and the rest go the state, or if not the state, then to some deserving cause or charity. These outrageous awards are one reason why there IS "such disproportionate distribution of wealth in our society", and I am not a "Yank basher", but the States is probably one of the prime offenders where common sense goes out of the window when money starts talking.

And P.S. - I love that expression "tax delectable"

I agree, the distribution could have being more equitable by compensating all who were damaged. .

In this case the plaintiff was not the only one who was damaged, but also the general public. The plaintiff should had being compensated to the degree she was damaged and the rest should had being directed towards programs mitigating conditions created by Walmart's behavior.

[Mr Money Bags]

Cannot see how this was a gender issue. Maybe there was more to it than the one example given on here.

The case was argued, inter alia, as a gender bias issue because she was supposedly fired for losing her pharmacy key. A separate male pharmacist who also lost his key was only disciplined, not fired. That was the crux of the gender bias argument.

Now, the validity of said argument is certainly open for debate......

You're Welcome!!

[TheCruncher]

Now this is without a doubt, a very just and propositional damages award to someone who was fired

from her job.... but why only 31 millions? what's wrong with 310 millions? the latter is as ludicrous

as much the former.....

a smaller amount would had being peanuts for Walmart and more profitable to keep doing what they were doing, for the action to be punitive it would have to be substantial .

anyway , Walmart will appeal, if any award is ever collected it will be years from now.

I agree with it needing to be a large amount to be punitive, but 31M awarded to the woman is ridiculous. Give her a mill and let the rest be a fine that the state gets.

Are damage costs in the US tax deductible by the way?

Why would the state needed to be rewarded for damages suffered by an employee?

That is the same with banks that scam their clientele, the pay huge amounts of fines to the government, while the scammed clientele remains in the cold.

[Steely Dan]

The award is punitive, not just on Walmart, but on every single employer, who no doubt pays far more in professional indemnity than would otherwise be needed. It also actively encourages false grievances in order to get compensation, which slowly corrodes the morals of those who live in such a system. There's one clear winner though, the lawyers of course.

[sirineou]

The award is punitive, not just on Walmart, but on every single employer, who no doubt pays far more in professional indemnity than would otherwise be needed. It also actively encourages false grievances in order to get compensation, which slowly corrodes the morals of those who live in such a system. There's one clear winner though, the lawyers of course.

I do agree that he lawyers do come out ahead, and that reform is needed, but one need to be careful be cause some times reform can have unintended consequences.

Layers are not the only clear winners, , obviously the plaintiff is a winner, and the public at large, gains a degree of protection.from unlawful behavior.

[wabothai]

Only in the USA.

Utterly ridiculous and the lawyers can start ordering their yachts.

[CMNightRider]

Now this is without a doubt, a very just and propositional damages award to someone who was fired

from her job.... but why only 31 millions? what's wrong with 310 millions? the latter is as ludicrous

as much the former.....

a smaller amount would had being peanuts for Walmart and more profitable to keep doing what they were doing, for the action to be punitive it would have to be substantial .

anyway , Walmart will appeal, if any award is ever collected it will be years from now.

I agree with it needing to be a large amount to be punitive, but 31M awarded to the woman is ridiculous. Give her a mill and let the rest be a fine that the state gets.

Are damage costs in the US tax deductible by the way?

It is unfortunate that there is such disproportionate distribution of wealth in our society now days, but 31m is not really a lot of money Walmart posted $130,24 Billion gross profits for 2015 , This award , that is not final by the way, is a very small percentage of an annual gross profit. if their behavior increased their profit margin by only 2% even with this award it would be far more profitable to continue doing what they were doing. and as you said it tax delectable, As I said this award is not final, it will be tied in the courts for many many years and make many lawyers rich..

"It is unfortunate that there is such disproportionate distribution of wealth in our society now days"????? You sound like a socialists. This may come as a shock to you but not everyone has the skills and ability to earn and keep wealth.

[up2u2]

"It is unfortunate that there is such disproportionate distribution of wealth in our society now days"????? You sound like a socialists. This may come as a shock to you but not everyone has the skills and ability to earn and keep wealth.

Yes especially when you have Mega Corporations like Wal-Mart where wages are so far below the poverty line employees require taxpayer funded food stamps and taxpayer funded accommodation to avoid them from literally starving to death or dying from exposure. It isn't an 'entry level' job it is a ticket to a lifetime of poverty with little chance of escape. A subsistence eking out a miserable financial existence where a simple parking fine is financial disaster.

My heart goes out to these poor retched people and the circumstances of exploitation they find themselves in. I admire their courage and work ethic turning up to some shitty job run by shitty uncaring tossers. I've changed my mind lets make it $51 'B' for Billion.

Wal-Mart a facilitator of the 'American Dream'? Not bloody likely! Facilitator of the 'American Financial Nightmare'

I doubt they pay a Nickel in tax too. Just sponging off the American Taxpayer and contributing bugger all for a better financially healthy society.

Come the revolution comrade..................................

[CMNightRider]

"It is unfortunate that there is such disproportionate distribution of wealth in our society now days"????? You sound like a socialists. This may come as a shock to you but not everyone has the skills and ability to earn and keep wealth.

Yes especially when you have Mega Corporations like Wal-Mart where wages are so far below the poverty line employees require taxpayer funded food stamps and taxpayer funded accommodation to avoid them from literally starving to death or dying from exposure. It isn't an 'entry level' job it is a ticket to a lifetime of poverty with little chance of escape. A subsistence eking out a miserable financial existence where a simple parking fine is financial disaster.

My heart goes out to these poor retched people and the circumstances of exploitation they find themselves in. I admire their courage and work ethic turning up to some shitty job run by shitty uncaring tossers. I've changed my mind lets make it $51 'B' for Billion.

Wal-Mart a facilitator of the 'American Dream'? Not bloody likely! Facilitator of the 'American Financial Nightmare'

I doubt they pay a Nickel in tax too. Just sponging off the American Taxpayer and contributing bugger all for a better financially healthy society.

Come the revolution comrade..................................

According to Forbes, this is what Wal-Mart pays in taxes. Maybe its time for you to rub those sleepy little eyes and wake up.

Wal-Mart

• Income tax expense: $7.98 billion

• Earnings before taxes: $25.74 billion

• Revenue: $469.16 billion

• 1-year share price change: 21.87%

• Industry: Supermarkets

[up2u2]

"It is unfortunate that there is such disproportionate distribution of wealth in our society now days"????? You sound like a socialists. This may come as a shock to you but not everyone has the skills and ability to earn and keep wealth.

Yes especially when you have Mega Corporations like Wal-Mart where wages are so far below the poverty line employees require taxpayer funded food stamps and taxpayer funded accommodation to avoid them from literally starving to death or dying from exposure. It isn't an 'entry level' job it is a ticket to a lifetime of poverty with little chance of escape. A subsistence eking out a miserable financial existence where a simple parking fine is financial disaster.

My heart goes out to these poor retched people and the circumstances of exploitation they find themselves in. I admire their courage and work ethic turning up to some shitty job run by shitty uncaring tossers. I've changed my mind lets make it $51 'B' for Billion.

Wal-Mart a facilitator of the 'American Dream'? Not bloody likely! Facilitator of the 'American Financial Nightmare'

I doubt they pay a Nickel in tax too. Just sponging off the American Taxpayer and contributing bugger all for a better financially healthy society.

Come the revolution comrade..................................

According to Forbes, this is what Wal-Mart pays in taxes. Maybe its time for you to rub those sleepy little eyes and wake up.

Wal-Mart

• Income tax expense: $7.98 billion

• Earnings before taxes: $25.74 billion

• Revenue: $469.16 billion

• 1-year share price change: 21.87%

• Industry: Supermarkets

Strange another poster has gross profit (earnings) at $130B so yeah $7.98B Corporate tax evasion sounds about right. Now list the government subsidies and little kickbacks in they probably paid 9 tenths of bugger all. Their biggest liability after merchandise is probably bribes, sorry, donations to the Republican Party.

You admonish people with socialist values yet fail to see Wal-Mart have no social values and you can make a lot of profit by not paying the people fairly who actually earn that profit.

Thieving bastards the lot of them.

[chuckd]

Did Wal Mart turn you down for a greeter's job?

[ldiablo]

And people talk about how you can be sued in Thailand for defamation.

Well in America you can be sued for pretty much anything and everything.

[TooPoopedToPop]

And people talk about how you can be sued in Thailand for defamation.

Well in America you can be sued for pretty much anything and everything.

Neither country has a legal system that could be called a paragon of justice.

[sirineou]

a smaller amount would had being peanuts for Walmart and more profitable to keep doing what they were doing, for the action to be punitive it would have to be substantial .

anyway , Walmart will appeal, if any award is ever collected it will be years from now.

I agree with it needing to be a large amount to be punitive, but 31M awarded to the woman is ridiculous. Give her a mill and let the rest be a fine that the state gets.

Are damage costs in the US tax deductible by the way?

It is unfortunate that there is such disproportionate distribution of wealth in our society now days, but 31m is not really a lot of money Walmart posted $130,24 Billion gross profits for 2015 , This award , that is not final by the way, is a very small percentage of an annual gross profit. if their behavior increased their profit margin by only 2% even with this award it would be far more profitable to continue doing what they were doing. and as you said it tax delectable, As I said this award is not final, it will be tied in the courts for many many years and make many lawyers rich..

"It is unfortunate that there is such disproportionate distribution of wealth in our society now days"????? You sound like a socialists. This may come as a shock to you but not everyone has the skills and ability to earn and keep wealth.

In 2007, the richest 1% of the American population owned 34.6% of the country's total wealth, and the next 19% owned 50.5%. Thus, the top 20% of Americans owned 85% of the country's wealth and the bottom 80% of the population owned 15% in 2007.

​If finding the above inequitable makes me a socialist then be it. but if you find it fair , what does that make you?

[khundon]

She will have to split it 50-50 with her lawyers. Still, not a bad retirement fund!

[thaibeachlovers]

Cannot see how this was a gender issue. Maybe there was more to it than the one example given on here.

Agree, and I can't see that any gender issue would be worth that- 31 THOUSAND maybe. If that is an example of America at work, it's doomed.

By all means the company should have been prosecuted by the state for unsafe practice.