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PRODUCT NEWS
Equinox tells HCM it plans to fight $11.25m race discrimination ruling
02 Jun 2023 . BY Tom Walker
Equinox says it will fight the court's race discrimination ruling / Shutterstock/Michael Vi
Equinox says it will fight the court's race discrimination ruling / Shutterstock/Michael Vi
Lifestyle brand Equinox has told HCM it plans to fight a ruling by the US courts that it must pay pay US$11.25m to a former employee who claimed she was discriminated against due to race, saying it "vehemently disagrees with the jury’s finding".

Röbynn Europe, a black female personal trainer, started work at Equinox's club on 92nd Street in New York in November 2018, but was sacked in September 2019. The ensuing court case has just concluded.

According to Europe, during her time working for Equinox she made multiple complaints to management about being subjected to a racially hostile environment at the club.

She sued the company in September 2020, citing unlawful dismissal and discrimination, testifying that a manager who reported to her often made inappropriate comments about black women's bodies, diverted personal training clients away from employees of colour and harassed staff with offensive language.

In response, Equinox denied the claims and said her dismissal was purely down to bad attendance.

Equinox said she had twice been warned about being late for work. Despite this, the company said she had been late for work on nine occasions in approximately three weeks during September 2019, as well as a further 15 times out of 22 scheduled shifts in August 2019.

In court, the jury found in her favour, agreeing that she had been subject to a hostile working environment.

Europe did not contest the allegations about her late arrival at work but showed that other trainers who were late on a similar number of occasions were not disciplined or sacked. She also presented evidence to show that she had never missed a client appointment and often stayed late when needed.

She was awarded US$1.25m in compensatory damages and $10m in punitive damages, as well as $16,000 in economic damages representing back pay.

Equinox denies the accusations of discrimination and is looking to overturn the decision.

Speaking to HCM, a spokesperson said: “We do not tolerate discrimination in any form.

"This was a case of termination for performance that relates to attendance and nothing more. Her claims of bias are completely baseless and uncorroborated

"We worked with Ms. Europe over a period of months to address repeated issues related to her tardiness and attendance (arriving late 47 times during her 11 months with the company), which she agreed needed improvement.

"Other employees have been terminated for similar patterns of tardiness and attendance."

Susan Crumiller, Europe lawyer from feminist litigation firm Crumiller, said: “We could not be more thrilled with this outcome. The jury sent a loud message to Equinox that there are serious consequences for corporations that permit racist and sexist behavior in the workplace.

"We are also pleased the jury found Equinox’s racism had a severe and lasting impact on Röbynn’s mental health and that she deserved to be compensated for it," said Crumiller. "Let this be a warning to all businesses in New York that if you try to brush harassment and discrimination under the rug, you will not get away with it.”

HCM will report on the appeal in due course.

The full verdict of the case can be accessed and read here.

Equinox Group has a portfolio of wellness brands with 300 properties globally, including Equinox Fitness, Equinox Hotels, SoulCycle, Blink Fitness, Equinox Media, Pure Yoga, Furthermore and Precision Run.

It also launched E by Equinox, a high-end, customised wellness offering which functions out of two clubs – in London and New York.

The company’s Equinox+ App gives access to on-demand workouts, recovery and mental health support from Equinox, SoulCycle, Solidcore, TB12, Pure Yoga, Precision Run and HeadStrong.
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©Cybertrek 2023
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
PRODUCT NEWS
Equinox tells HCM it plans to fight $11.25m race discrimination ruling
02 Jun 2023 . BY Tom Walker
Equinox says it will fight the court's race discrimination ruling / Shutterstock/Michael Vi
Lifestyle brand Equinox has told HCM it plans to fight a ruling by the US courts that it must pay pay US$11.25m to a former employee who claimed she was discriminated against due to race, saying it "vehemently disagrees with the jury’s finding".

Röbynn Europe, a black female personal trainer, started work at Equinox's club on 92nd Street in New York in November 2018, but was sacked in September 2019. The ensuing court case has just concluded.

According to Europe, during her time working for Equinox she made multiple complaints to management about being subjected to a racially hostile environment at the club.

She sued the company in September 2020, citing unlawful dismissal and discrimination, testifying that a manager who reported to her often made inappropriate comments about black women's bodies, diverted personal training clients away from employees of colour and harassed staff with offensive language.

In response, Equinox denied the claims and said her dismissal was purely down to bad attendance.

Equinox said she had twice been warned about being late for work. Despite this, the company said she had been late for work on nine occasions in approximately three weeks during September 2019, as well as a further 15 times out of 22 scheduled shifts in August 2019.

In court, the jury found in her favour, agreeing that she had been subject to a hostile working environment.

Europe did not contest the allegations about her late arrival at work but showed that other trainers who were late on a similar number of occasions were not disciplined or sacked. She also presented evidence to show that she had never missed a client appointment and often stayed late when needed.

She was awarded US$1.25m in compensatory damages and $10m in punitive damages, as well as $16,000 in economic damages representing back pay.

Equinox denies the accusations of discrimination and is looking to overturn the decision.

Speaking to HCM, a spokesperson said: “We do not tolerate discrimination in any form.

"This was a case of termination for performance that relates to attendance and nothing more. Her claims of bias are completely baseless and uncorroborated

"We worked with Ms. Europe over a period of months to address repeated issues related to her tardiness and attendance (arriving late 47 times during her 11 months with the company), which she agreed needed improvement.

"Other employees have been terminated for similar patterns of tardiness and attendance."

Susan Crumiller, Europe lawyer from feminist litigation firm Crumiller, said: “We could not be more thrilled with this outcome. The jury sent a loud message to Equinox that there are serious consequences for corporations that permit racist and sexist behavior in the workplace.

"We are also pleased the jury found Equinox’s racism had a severe and lasting impact on Röbynn’s mental health and that she deserved to be compensated for it," said Crumiller. "Let this be a warning to all businesses in New York that if you try to brush harassment and discrimination under the rug, you will not get away with it.”

HCM will report on the appeal in due course.

The full verdict of the case can be accessed and read here.

Equinox Group has a portfolio of wellness brands with 300 properties globally, including Equinox Fitness, Equinox Hotels, SoulCycle, Blink Fitness, Equinox Media, Pure Yoga, Furthermore and Precision Run.

It also launched E by Equinox, a high-end, customised wellness offering which functions out of two clubs – in London and New York.

The company’s Equinox+ App gives access to on-demand workouts, recovery and mental health support from Equinox, SoulCycle, Solidcore, TB12, Pure Yoga, Precision Run and HeadStrong.
If you would like to get each issue of Spa Business and Spa Business insider magazines sent direct to you for FREE, plus the weekly Spa Business and Spa Business insider ezines, sign up now!
PRODUCT NEWS
Siminetti unveils iridescent decorative panelling range inspired by plants
The Botanicals is Siminetti’s newest Mother of Pearl decorative panelling collection, inspired by the distinctive patterns found in botany and plant life.
Caudalie’s Resveratrol-lift range relaunched and reformulated with plant-based collagen
Caudalie has introduced the next generation of its pro-ageing Resveratrol-lift range which has been updated with plant-based collagen, called Vegan Collagen 1.
ESPA launches Optimal Skin Cleansing Oil to purify and hydrate
ESPA has expanded its Optimal Skin Pro collection with a new oil-to-milk cleanser; the Optimal Skin Cleansing Oil.
Temple Spa unveils Easy Glowing cleanser enriched with vitamin C
Easy Glowing is Temple Spa’s latest cleanser – designed to leave the skin with a radiant glow, balance the complexion and help support a healthy microbiome.
Esse Skincare goes stateside and expands into US market
Microbiome skincare and spa brand Esse Skincare has expanded its global footprint to reach the US.
Swissline debuts at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
Luxury Dubai hotel Burj Al Arab has introduced Swissline skincare into its Talise Spa with nine new facials, including one created exclusively for the property.
Soleum introduces Luxury Relaxing heated lounger range
Soleum has launched a dynamic collection of infrared loungers for spas, private homes, hotels and resorts.
New juniper body oil boosts Kerstin Florian's Nordic Zen treatment says Kristina Zanardi
Sweden-based skincare brand Kerstin Florian has refreshed its 90-minute Nordic Zen Body treatment with a new star product
Mauli Rituals unveils global expansion plans
Mauli Rituals, a UK-based ayurvedic spa brand, is taking its hair, skin, body and mind products worldwide.
Lemi introduces new Milano treatment bed range
Italian spa and wellness equipment supplier Lemi Group has unveiled the new Milano treatment bed, available in either the Classic or Evo model.
Comfort Zone's new three-piece Luminant collection and facial targets hyperpigmentation
Professional spa brand Comfort Zone has developed an all-new range and treatment to tackle hyperpigmentation.
Codage showcases Magistrale line with all-new facial
Codage Paris has launched the Magistrale collection, composed of La Crème & La Crème Nuit, underpinned by its pro-ageing PGF-5 Complex.
+ More products   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Wynne Business Consulting and Education

Wynne Business, founded in 1998, specialises in creating, growing and fine- tuning spas, salons, wel [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

27-30 Nov 2023

Piscina & Wellness Barcelona

Gran Via Exhibition Centre, Barcelona, Spain
08-11 Jan 2024

Hot Springs Connection Conference

Murrieta Hot Springs, United States
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2023

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