Do corporations benefit from being sued?

[DaveJ]

People often have pet peeves with particular corporations, Wal-mart being the most common, but even many of the most liberal minded folk see corporations as a potentially positive force, if run right. Problem is, it's hard to run them right.

I cannot name the corp I have a problem with right now. I'll just say it's another big box store. I know a certain person who works at this big box store (if you can call the 13 hours they're giving her work) and is encountering sexual and age discrimination that pretty much controls the whole place.

What to do? Theoretically the corp. could get sued, eventually, but it's my theory that the lawsuit would add up to free publicity and probably help the corporation grow (benefiting the shareholders and executives, but not the community). All the sexual discrimination cases certainly did not hurt Wal-mart. All they had to do was prove they changed their ways, but if anything the lawsuit helped the store. So, a corporation that wants to grow and be like wal-mart might very well take the same approach and actually encourage sexual and age discrimination. Correct?

Moreover my experience leads me to believe that corporations in general are soulless unstoppable behemoths with no regard for people or the community, with very very few exceptions.

(edited for typos as usual)

[Nozebro]

1. How would it even theoretically "help" a corp. to grow? EOM

nt

[DaveJ]

4. Free publicity

The type of customers this store has are almost exclusively male, the majority are young, education is not necessary for their line of work, and more than most are probably unmarried. This store being in the news as a company that sexually discriminates would probably add to the allure of the store for them. Free advertising.

This is a major billion dollar corporation. Yet, here is another example of discrimination at this new store. For their management training program, of the 8 people they hired for it, every single one of them was a white male under age 30. In the garden department they passed up a 48 year old woman with a Masters degree in botany for a 27 yr old white make with an acting degree.

I understand their concern for the bottom line but this is one example of how corporations tear apart the social fabric of a community.

Lessons learned: Education does not matter, don't bother. Sexual discrimination is acceptable. Age discrimination is acceptable.

As long as it benefits the shareholders.

[bemildred]

2. Greed is good, except when you are an employee.

Then you are supposed to be a "team player".

[Bamboo]

3. Dr. Phil says it it your own fault for voting republican.

Unhappy workers who are actively hazed in your theory will go to WalMart to work instead,competing companies can only sink to the level set by the industry leader which is what we have already.We are in a golden age of retail now before guest workers staff stores imported from the third world which is in place for industries like agriculture and construction but more freelance.