SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced a lawsuit against CJMBS Pharmacies Inc., which does business as Community Pharmacy and is a pharmacy chain in north San Diego County, for allegations of paying a female pharmacy technician substantially less than a male counterpart.
EEOC claims that both pharmacy technicians performed the same job at the same location, yet the female employee was paid less. From October 2013 to January 2016, Community Pharmacy allegedly paid the female employee close to four dollars less than the male employee, and when she complained about the sex discrimination, the company purportedly fired her.
"EEOC is committed to enforcing federal laws to ensure women receive equal pay for equal work," said Anna Park, regional attorney for EEOC's Los Angeles District, whose jurisdiction includes San Diego County. "Firing an employee for complaining about discrimination only compounds the problem."
The commission seeks back pay and liquidated damages, as well as compensatory and punitive damages for the female employee. It also seeks injunctive relief in an effort to curb future discrimination by Community Pharmacy.
“Employees deserve equal pay, regardless of their sex,” said Christopher Green, director of EEOC's San Diego Local Office. “It is unfortunate that some employers still do not adhere to that clear and crucial principle."