The world's largest private employer set another milestone in 2007 as it defended itself against the largest civil class action suit in U.S. history, Dukes v. Wal-Mart. In February the 9th Circuit affirmed a District Court's class certification of what plaintiffs estimate to be more than 1.5 million female former and current employees who allege Wal-Mart's policies and practices discriminate against females in compensation and promotions. The court cited evidence suggesting “the discrimination was closely related to Wal-Mart's corporate structure.”

Although the largest of Wal-Mart's current legal woes, Dukes is only one of more than 70 labor suits the retail giant is currently fighting. For instance, it continues to face several suits regarding unpaid wages: In January, it agreed to pay $33.5 million to almost 87,000 workers who were forced to work off the clock without overtime pay. This summer Missouri and New Mexico denied Wal-Mart's appeals of class certification in two such cases. And in October a Philadelphia court upped to $141 million damages the retailer must pay to workers who were denied rest and meal breaks.

The world's largest private employer set another milestone in 2007 as it defended itself against the largest civil class action suit in U.S. history, Dukes v. Wal-Mart. In February the 9th Circuit affirmed a District Court's class certification of what plaintiffs estimate to be more than 1.5 million female former and current employees who allege Wal-Mart's policies and practices discriminate against females in compensation and promotions. The court cited evidence suggesting “the discrimination was closely related to Wal-Mart's corporate structure.”

Although the largest of Wal-Mart's current legal woes, Dukes is only one of more than 70 labor suits the retail giant is currently fighting. For instance, it continues to face several suits regarding unpaid wages: In January, it agreed to pay $33.5 million to almost 87,000 workers who were forced to work off the clock without overtime pay. This summer Missouri and New Mexico denied Wal-Mart's appeals of class certification in two such cases. And in October a Philadelphia court upped to $141 million damages the retailer must pay to workers who were denied rest and meal breaks.