Morgan Stanley Firing Unlawful, EEOC Says

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. unlawfully fired a top female broker in October after she filed a sexual discrimination complaint against the leading Wall Street firm, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said. Allison Schieffelin, a $1-million-a-year saleswoman who had been with the investment bank for 14 years, filed a formal complaint with the EEOC in November 1998. The filing alleged that the firm denied promotions to women and paid them less because of their gender. Less than a year later, Morgan Stanley fired Schieffelin, 39, for “insubordination” and “inappropriate conduct.” The EEOC said the firing was unwarranted and was in retaliation for the complaint. “We are disappointed in the EEOC’s decision,” Morgan Stanley said. “We believe our actions relative to the employee were appropriate on the merits.” Schieffelin’s behavior “fully justified” her termination, the firm said.