Lockheed Martin allegedly discriminates against female, salaried employees in establishing procedures that unfairly results in disproportionately low number of female executives that receive lower salaries than similarly situated male executives across Lockheed Martin's four business units.

This is an ongoing investigation and pending class action lawsuit against Lockheed Martin Corporation in which it is alleged that Lockheed Martin discriminated against salaried female employees by promoting male employees at a quicker rate and failing to provide female employees with equal pay and annual and merit bonuses.

Lockheed Martin designs, develops and manufacture advanced technology systems and does substantial business with the federal government. Lockheed Martin, by its own account, reported 2008 revenues of $42.7 billion and currently operates in 500 cities and 46 states.

The class action lawsuit alleges that Lockheed Martin operates a system of internal promotions that is too subjective and is biased against female salaried employees. The class action allegations include the following:

1. Lockheed Martin does not post job opening for its highest level salaried positions, which have been traditionally filled at a higher percentage by male salaried employees.

2. Lockhead Martin requires the same education and experience requirements for all levels of management, thereby rendering that criteria completely subjective.

3. Lockheed Martin provides that certain high level positions can only be filed by employees that attend Senior Program Leadership Development Programs; yet since its inception only 116 (17.1%) females have been invited to attended such programs.

4. Lockheed Martin uses subjective criteria to place senior employees on a performance-based bell curve to qualify for certain senior level positions; yet the subjective criteria are established and implemented by mostly male executives.

5. Lockheed Martin establishes certain criteria for advancement such as taking "stretch assignments," or being labeled "Hi-Pot" or being labelled "9-blocker chart"; yet the criteria are subjective and subject to discriminatory practices.

6. Lockheed Martin pays similarly-situated female executives less than male executives.

7. Lockheed MArtin retaliated against female employees who reported that they were being discriminated against.

The class action lawsuit seeks relief under Title VII of federal law prohibiting discrimination in the workplace.