News Flash: Southern California Grocery Chain Hit With $5.2 Million Sex Bias Verdict

An Orange County jury has ordered Vons Cos. to pay $5.2million in punitive and compensatory damages to a female manager for sex discrimination. Lynne Rayburn, a 25-year employee, was demoted from her district manager position and replaced with a male worker. Vons asserted the demotion was due to poor performance. But Rayburn claims she was disparaged in front of other employees by her male supervisor, denied training and frequently reassigned so as to impede her career advancement. Plus, she alleged that the company failed to investigate her sex bias complaints. Vons has said it will appeal the verdict.