Polo Biased Against Minorities, EEOC Says

Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. sought to promote a “blond hair and blue eyes” image in denying minorities the same pay and job opportunities as whites, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission found.

The commission ruled that Polo, maker of Polo Sport and Club Monaco clothing, discriminated against two ex-employees, including a Filipino woman hired to develop an affirmative action program. Although the ruling focuses on these two, the agency said other minority employees also were victims of discrimination.

“Testimony from several witnesses suggests that [Polo] managers sought to maintain a ‘blond hair and blue eyes’ image of employees who often advanced the ‘image’ over more qualified and experienced minority employees,” the EEOC said.

The rulings came to light in a federal lawsuit filed by the two former employees. The EEOC itself didn’t sue. A Polo spokeswoman said the company “denies all the allegations” and remains “committed to a fair and diverse workplace.”

Shares of the New York-based company rose 52 cents to close at $28.22 on the NYSE.