RENEE MONTAGNE, Host: NPR's business news starts with gender discrimination and Wal-Mart.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, Host: The case was brought by women who accuse Wal-Mart of blocking their promotions and paying them less than their male counterparts. If it proceeds, Wal-Mart might have to pay billions of dollars. This case could also affect how future discrimination suits are brought against large companies.
The Supreme Court hears a case this week to determine whether hundreds of thousands of women will be allowed to sue Wal-Mart. If the class action lawsuit is allowed to proceed, it could cost the retailer billions of dollars.