Daily Orange (Syracuse University Newspaper), "Minority groups sue Abercrombie for $40 million"

          Katie Hollenbeck strolled the corridors of Carousel Mall trying to decide where she would like to apply for a new job. The junior graphic arts major walked into the Abercrombie & Fitch store, took one look at the female employees behind the counter and walked out. "They were all tall, skinny white girls, and I didn't feel appropriate for the job," she said. The intimidation that Hollenbeck, and many others feel, when walking into the retail-clothing store may not last for long. Abercrombie is about to undergo a major image change that won't drop the gorgeous models from the payroll, but will work to end alleged discrimination by hiring more female and minority employees.
          Abercrombie has agreed to settle a class-action discrimination lawsuit brought on by nine former employees who claimed they were fired, asked to work in back storage rooms or put on overnight shifts because they didn't fit into the " Abercrombie look" enough to work on the sales floor during regular business hours.
          "There were two aspects to the settlement," explained Shaheena Ahmad Simons, a staff attorney for MALDEF. " Abercrombie agreed to pay $40 million to be divided up amongst those apart of the lawsuit and injunctive relief, which are things the company must do to remedy the situation." Abercrombie also agreed to stop targeting fraternities and sororities for prospective employees, require all employees to undergo diversity training, hire a new vice president of diversity and 25 recruiters to seek out women and minorities for jobs, and include minorities in marketing materials.

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