Federal Agency Charges True Oil Entities Paid Female Accounting Clerks Less Than Male Accounting Clerk
Ten associated exploration and production companies operating in 12 states violated federal law by paying female employees lower wages than men, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed.
Such alleged conduct violates the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA), which prohibits discrimination in compensation on the basis of sex. The EEOC filed suit, EEOC v. True Oil et al, Civil Action No. 2:15-cv-00074-KHR, in U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming, after first attempting to reach a settlement through its pre-litigation conciliation process. The lawsuit seeks lost wages and liquidated damages for the alleged victims, as well as appropriate injunctive relief to prevent discriminatory practices in the future.
Enforcement of equal pay laws and targeting compensation systems and practices that discriminate based on gender is of one of six national priorities identified by the EEOC's Strategic Enforcement Plan.
"Enforcing the Equal Pay Act and closing the pay gap is a priority for the EEOC," said EEOC Phoenix District Office regional attorney Mary Jo O'Neill. "By enforcing the EPA, the EEOC ensures that women will be paid an equal and fair wage. Unfortunately, Wyoming has the largest pay disparity between men and women in the country according to a 2014 report by the American Association of University Women."
Source: EEOC
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educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.