Wal-Mart Names Diversity Officer

Stung by negative publicity over a massive sex-discrimination lawsuit, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said on Nov. 18 that it had opened a new “office of diversity” and named its human resources director to lead it.r

Wal-Mart said Charlyn Jarrells Porter will report to Wal-Mart Vice Chairman Tom Coughlin, who oversees Wal-Mart’s U.S. stores. Porter, a lawyer, prosecuted crimes against women and children before joining Wal-Mart 11 years ago. r

Wal-Mart, the largest U.S. private sector employer, faces what is expected to be the biggest-ever sex discrimination case in California, covering as many as 1.5 million current and former female employees.r

The retailer also made headlines recently over a federal roundup of illegal workers, most of them employed by an outside contractor, at some of its stores.r

Porter, whose 71-year-old mother recently came out of retirement to be a Wal-Mart greeter, said the retailer’s rapid expansion has made it easier for women to advance. r