Bayer is target of $100M gender bias lawsuit

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A subsidiary of the Bayer Corporation faces a class-action lawsuit that claims the company discriminated against women, particularly pregnant women and mothers.

The $100 million suit against Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals was filed in U.S. District Court in Newark on Monday. The Wayne, N.J.-based company is a subsidiary of Bayer, whose American headquarters are in Pittsburgh.

The lawsuit claims the company discriminated against its female employees and cites instances in which managers allegedly said the company shouldn't hire women of child-bearing age.

The suit also quotes an article distributed by the company that described women as unsuitable for management because they were prone to "mood swings," "indecision" and "backstabbing."

In a statement, Bayer denied the charges and said it is committed to equal treatment for all employees.