Boeing faces big sex-bias payout

Settlement of discrimination suit could cost $72.5 mil.

(Reuters) — Boeing Co. will pay between $40.6 million and $72.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by women alleging they were mistreated based on their gender, the No. 2 jet maker said Friday.

A Seattle judge gave preliminary approval to the settlement — including changes in the way Boeing evaluates workers for pay raises and promotions -- between the company and a plaintiffs group that could number as many as 29,000, Boeing said.

-> The case was first brought in February 2000 by female employees claiming Boeing tolerated sexual intimidation and improper advances in the workplace and paid women less than men doing the same jobs as far back as 1997.

"This agreement contains several enhancements related to performance evaluations, salary reviews, promotions and other employee relations practices,'' Boeing's Executive Vice President of Internal Services Laurette Koellner said.

The court will make a final ruling on the settlement proposal after all potential plaintiffs are notified and given time to file objections or to opt out of the pact.

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