LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit March 22 against The Guidance Charter School, a charter school and non-profit in Palmdale, California, for allegations of paying a female math tutor less than a male math tutor.
"Ensuring that women receive equal pay for equal work is one of the EEOC's strategic enforcement priorities," Anna Park, regional attorney for the EEOC's Los Angeles District, said in a statement. "There is no excuse for employers underpaying someone simply because of her gender."
The EEOC says The Guidance Charter School paid a female math tutor less per hour than a male math tutor despite the jobs being interchangeable. Alleged conduct of this nature violates the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
"Equal pay is a top priority for the EEOC. All employees deserve to be paid equally for the same job and same work, and the EEOC will keep working hard to make sure that principle is observed throughout America,” Rosa Viramontes, director for the EEOC's Los Angeles District, said in a statement.
The EEOC seeks back pay and monetary damages for the female employee, as well as injunctive relief to prevent future discrimination by The Guidance Charter School.