UCSF Office of Sexual Harassment Prevention & Resolution / Astra to Pay for Harassment

The UCSF Office of Sexual Harassment Prevention and Resolution

ASTRA TO PAY FOR HARASSMENT

Astra USA, an American subsidiary of Astra AB, a Swedish pharmaceutical company, agreed to pay $9.85 million to settle a suit brought by at least 79 women against the company. The suit accused Astra's former president and other executives of pressuring female employees for sex and replacing older workers with younger beauties. One man, who said he was punished for speaking out will also share the sum-the biggest sexual harassment settlement ever obtained by the EEOC.

Astra USA admitted that it allowed a hostile environment-including requests for sexual favors, replacing older female employees with younger women, and women being pressured into having sex. Former Astra USA President, Lars Bildman, who was fired in 1996, demanded that "eight hours of work be followed by eight hours of drinking and partying." Current USA CEO, Ivan Rowley apologized saying, "As a company, we are ashamed of the unacceptable behavior that took place...to each person that has been harmed and who has suffered because of that behavior, I offer our apologies."

Astra USA has taken steps to remedy the situation. They have fired Bildman, agreed to a sexual harassment policy and have taken action against at least 30 employees and Astra customers who had taken part in the harassment.

Excerpt from Drug Firm to Pay Record $9.85 million, The Associated Press, San Francisco Chronicle, Friday, February 6, 1998