Sorting out an employment dispute involving sex discrimination can be a tricky long-term project. A consent decree is a negotiated agreement approved by a judge, which has all of the power of a court decision in your favor. You, your employer, other involved parties and everyone's attorneys work together to draft a settlement everyone can live with. While a private settlement may only affect the parties involved, a consent decree can improve the work environment for everyone and may provide compensation to anyone who has suffered similar discrimination.