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Hotel faces wage discrimination suit

On Behalf of | Feb 14, 2017 | Wage & Hour Laws |

One would like to think that in 2017, women working entry-level service positions could at least expect to be paid as much as their male counterparts. After all, entry-level by definition require very little experience and generally offer pay that is only slightly better than minimum wage. Unfortunately, a civil suit filed against a New Jersey hotel demonstrates that workplace discrimination is alive and well even in some of the most positions.

According to the suit, men and women who were hired by the hotel as housekeeping staff were paid differently based solely on their gender — $8 per hour for women and $9 to $10 per hour for men. Not only was this discrimination practiced by the hotel, when a female employee had the decency to question the disparity, she was fired.

The suit features one count of discrimination and two counts of unlawful reprisal, seeking both economic damages for the plaintiff and enforcement of good practices by the defendant. Court records indicate that the management fired the plaintiff on the grounds that she had violated her contract by asking other employees how much they were being paid.

It is troubling indeed to think that even now there are employers who are blatantly paying men and women differently for doing exactly the same work. Unfortunately, unfair practices like these are more common than you might expect. If you believe that you have been the victim of unfair policies, do not hesitate to seek the help of an experienced attorney who can help you fight for your rights and for fair treatment under the law.

Source: The New Jersey Law Journal, “Civil Rights Division Brings Wage Equity Suit Against Hotel Operator,” Charles Toutant, Feb. 10, 2017