PHILADELPHIA - A Wayne woman sued IKEA in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for alleged civil rights violations, according to documents filed Feb. 26.
Plaintiff Eleanor Lisle Tattar joined IKEA as a Recruiting Manager in 2017 and made an annual salary of $140,000 plus benefits. She was promoted about a year later to VP of Talent Acquisition, accompanied by a raise to $154,000, and another promotion less than a year later to Deputy People and Culture Manager, with a new salary of $179,280, the suit says.
The latter promotion was withdrawn due to a pending discrimination accusation against IKEA, and the position was left vacant, the suit says.
Tattar says that, as she advanced through the company, she encountered wage discrimination against women and other discriminatory behavior, including forcing women into stereotypical roles and becoming hostile when women spoke out against the discrimination practices.
The plaintiff allegedly was told to be "more vulnerable," "softer," to "smile more" and to "show more empathy."
Tattar was forced out of her role in 2020 for speaking up about these issues, according to the suit. She is suing IKEA for one count of sex discrimination and wrongful termination, one count of sex discriminatory compensation, one count of retaliation through wrongful termination, one count of unequal pay based on gender and one violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The plaintiff is demanding back wage compensation and other damages, as well as litigation fees, exceeding $1 million.
Tattar is represented by Rubin, Fortunato and Harbison PC of Paoli.