Alaska Employment Law

The Seattle office of the EEOC sued Zales, alleging that it had denied Christina Kantarzis a promotion at the Sears Mall branch in Anchorage because of her pregnancy.   EEOC v. Zale Corporation, 3:07-cv-00033-JWS (D.Alaska).   Before any motion practice, the parties settled the matter.  Judge Sedwick approved the Consent Decree and Notice to Employees on July 9, 2007. The Consent Decree requires Zales to, inter alia, pay $55,000 to Kantarzis; provide 2 hours of anti-discrimination training to all managers in the Alaska Region; expunge from Zale’s files Ms. Kantarzis’ EEOC charge and the EEOC’s lawsuit; ”impose appropriate discipline up to and including termination” on any Zale’s manager who discriminates on the basis of pregnancy; include “handling of EEO matters” as an evaluation and promotion criterion; and post the Notice to Employees in all Regional stores. 

The District Court retains jurisdiction for 2 years.  Before the EEOC may return to court to enforce the Decree, it must give Zale’s written notice and 30 days to resolve any dispute.  The accompanying Order and Notice to the class are here.

Kathryn Olson represented the EEOC; Robert Blasco of Robertson Monagle represented Zale’s.