SETTLES “EQUAL PAY” LAWSUIT FOR $40,000
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration recently agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) which alleged discrimination in the labor context, because that state agency was basing pay on an employee's sex. And when the individual voiced an objection to the disparity, his complaint was ignored.
Believing that such conduct violated the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (EEOC v. Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, Case No. 1:22-cv-00061-BAH), seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief.
In addition to a $40,000 payment to the impacted individual, the agency has agreed to refrain from engaging in such misconduct in the future and will provide appropriate training to management and notice to its employees.
In a written statement, Debra Lawrence, the EEOC’s Regional Attorney in Philadelphia said, “Though pay disparity for performing equal work most often affects women in the workplace, the Equal Pay Act applies to males as well. Employers should be mindful about their pay systems and be prepared to adjust their employees’ compensation in accordance with the law.”
Think they’re in a transport of delight there?
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