$5.2 Million Awarded in Vons Bias Suit

An Orange County Superior Court jury awarded Lynne Rayburn, a female manager for Vons Cos. in Orange County, $5.2 million in punitive and compensatory damages for her sexual-discrimination claim against the company. Rayburn, who has been employed by Vons since 1971, was demoted in 1996 from her position as a district manager for several store departments to general merchandise manager for a single store. Although the company says Rayburn’s demotion was a case of poor performance, Rayburn says she was repeatedly disparaged by her male boss in front of other employees, denied training or feedback as was given to her male colleagues and reassigned repeatedly, thwarting career advancement. Moreover, her attorney says, when she filed a discrimination claim with the company it was not investigated. “They have wonderful policies that any company can be proud of, if only they followed them,” said Michelle Reinglass, Rayburn’s attorney. Ultimately, Rayburn, the only female to hold that position at the chain, was replaced by a male employee. A Vons spokesman says Rayburn was “treated fairly and given every opportunity to grow within our company.” The company plans to appeal the verdict.