A woman formerly employed by New York City-based Vice Media filed a pay discrimination lawsuit against the company on Feb. 13. The suit alleges that Vice pays female employees less than male employees for doing similar work.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff worked as a manager at Vice from 2014 until 2016. The suit alleges that the company violated the Federal Equal Pay Act and similar laws in California and New York by systematically paying female staff members less than male staff members. For example, the suit claims that the plaintiff hired a man to work in a subordinate position and learned that he was paid $25,000 per year more than she was. He was later given a supervisory position over her. The suit further claims that the plaintiff reviewed internal memos and discovered that male employees were systemically paid more than female employees for doing the same work.
The lawsuit is seeking class-action status from the presiding judge. It also seeks financial compensation for female employees who were paid less than their male co-workers. Vice Media issued a statement claiming that the company started a pay parity audit in 2017. The company also said that it intends to have a staff that is equally represented by female and male employees by 2020.
Federal and state laws protect employees from pay discrimination. Employees who are not being fairly compensated may wish to pursue a lawsuit against their employer. If the lawsuit is successful, the employee may be awarded back pay and other damages. Employees could find out more about their legal rights by discussing their situation with an attorney familiar with wage discrimination issues.
Source: The Hill, “Vice sued for alleged gender-based pay discrimination“, Brett Samuels, Feb. 13, 2018
