Federal laws, as well as California state statutes, guarantee workers’ rights to equal wages for a job performed or a target met. Workplaces are made complete only when all feel welcome to do their work and get the proper reward, regardless of gender, race or religion.
One of the most pervasive workplace equality issues in the United States is gender pay equity, which inspired the Equal Rights Amendment and other laws to try to bring women’s wages up to par with men. Progress has been made in all industries, but the fight continues.
Three female former employees of a tech giant in California are suing their former employers, alleging that women were not paid the same for the same jobs performed by men. The possible systematic abuse of female employees may extend to the four-year period before the filing of the suit.
The U.S. Department of Labor investigated the corporation in an earlier, unrelated review and determined that employees suffered gross pay disparities and other gender-based abuses at a broad level. Other tech companies have seen similar allegations, as well as resultant lawsuits.
The plaintiffs are seeking wages due, interest and liquidated damages plus interest. They also want the firm to guarantee they won’t pay women less than men for similar work in the future.
Legal representation is often an advisable decision for those who believe they have been the target of workplace discrimination in wages, behavior, abuse or other forms. An attorney can help determine the best path forward for a suit: mediation, settlements or court actions.
Source: TechCrunch, “Former Oracle employees sue company for alleged pay discrimination,” Megan Rose Dickey, Sep. 29, 2017
