‘GLASS CEILING’

Saks Fifth Avenue Accused of Hiding Older and Minority Workers

Eight former employees have accused the iconic store of racial discrimination in a new lawsuit.

Saks Fifth Avenue has been accused of banishing older and minority workers to less crowded areas of the store and denying promotions on the basis of race, according to a lawsuit filed on Tuesday. Eight former employees allege that Saks and its parent company, Hudson’s Bay Company, set a “glass ceiling” for minorities and gave white employees preferential treatment. In a lawsuit filed in the state Supreme Court in Bronx County, the former employees say they were deliberately posted in parts of their respective stores “far removed from the department’s front entrance” and where there was less foot traffic. As a result, they claim, they were prevented from being able to meet sales targets. “Although they were each committed to maintaining SAKS’ reputation as a luxury retailer by providing stellar customer service, their respective managers deliberately targeted them because of their race and/or age,” the suit claims. A spokeswoman for Hudson’s Bay declined to comment on the lawsuit but said the company is “committed to diversity and inclusion across our organization,” according to the New York Daily News.