A former California city manager has settled a lawsuit with her former employer. The woman sued the city claiming that the city had participated in workplace discrimination. According to the woman, she was paid significantly less than the male city manager before her. She claims she was even asked to take pay cuts when she was entitled to pay raises.
According to the suit, the city eventually gave her a raise, however, she continued to make less money than some of her male subordinates. The woman says that it was common place within the city government for female employees to make less money than males.
Eventually the woman was terminated from her position. In the lawsuit, the woman said this termination was in retaliation for her investigation into racial and sexual harassment claims. The woman said she was punished for being a whistleblower.
Under California and federal employee laws, employers cannot discriminate against employees because of their gender. Gender discrimination cannot be tolerated in any form. This means that an employee’s gender should not play a role in decisions about the employee’s pay, promotions, hiring or firing. Furthermore, employees cannot be terminated for reporting illegal activity including the presence of workplace discrimination.
In this case, the city settled with the woman for $300,000. However, the city does not admit to any wrongdoing in the settlement.
As this case shows, California employees that suffer gender discrimination at work have legal rights. People do not have to put up with being treated differently simply because of their gender. Those who have experienced gender discrimination should make sure to explore their rights since they may be entitled to compensation.
Source: The Desert Sun, “Tara Adams settles gender discrimination suit against Indio,” Tatiana Sanchez, Jan. 22, 2014