News Note: $5 Million Verdict For Wrongful Demotion Of Female Manager

A 29-year manager with Vons who contended she was wrongfully demoted because of her sex was awarded $5.2 million by an Orange County jury. Lynn Rayburn claimed that Vons appointed a new district manager who said there were “too damn many women in the district” and made other disparaging gender-related remarks. Rayburn had been in charge of several different departments in the district’s stores, but was ultimately demoted to a lower-level manager position without bonuses and stock options. Vons contended Rayburn had voluntarily chosen the new position, but the jury disagreed. Its award included $4 million in punitive damages. The grocer is appealing the verdict.