…Sterling [part of Signet], the largest retail jewelry company in the United States...is accused of gender discrimination in its pay and promotion practices…[The] accusations…[include] sexual harassment…If the class [action] is certified, about 44,000 current and former Sterling…employees…would…join the plaintiffs’ case…Even if the women are certified as a class...[a]ccording to company policies, employees must deal with cases through arbitration, not the courts...[A] Sterling spokesman…said…the company had investigated the claims [of] pay discrimination…“We believe…they are without merit,”…As for…allegations of sexual harassment…Sterling had disciplined employees who violated discrimination and harassment policies…Sterling employees can get to arbitration only after they have filed a claim with its in-house resolution program…“Fairness, equal opportunity and respect for our female employees…” [the spokesman] said, “is central to who we are.”…In their case, however, the plaintiffs say women are in the minority in the most powerful jobs at Sterling...[Refers to Boeing, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Kay Jewelers [part of Signet], Publix Supermarkets, Signet Jewelers, Zale]