Nike Ordered to Pay $7.5 Million in Gender Discrimination Lawsuit
An Oregon federal jury found Nike Inc. guilty of gender discrimination against former engineer Heather Hender, awarding her $19,739.52 in damages and ordering at least $7.5 million in punitive damages. Hender worked at Nike from 2015 to 2020 and alleged she was paid less and promoted more slowly than male colleagues. The six-day trial concluded with a verdict after just over a day of jury deliberation. Hender's attorney hailed the decision as a victory for all women at Nike, stating it sends a message that workplace discrimination is unacceptable. Nike expressed disappointment and said it disagrees with the conclusions, emphasizing its commitment to fair treatment and competitive compensation. The company retains the right to appeal to the Ninth Circuit. The case began in 2018 when four employees sued Nike, but Hender became the sole plaintiff after the other three settled. The lawsuit followed a 2018 New York Times exposé describing a toxic 'boys club' culture at the company.
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