WASHINGTON, D.C. — A lawsuit filed by the federal government alleging Estée Lauder practiced sex discrimination by providing less paid leave to new fathers than to new mothers has been settled for $1.1 million.
According to the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Estée Lauder violated the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
The EEOC alleges the company provided less paid leave for a father of a newborn, newly adopted or fostered child than for new mothers. According to the EEOC, the parental leave in question is separate from medical leave given to mothers for childbirth issues. Estée Lauder denied new fathers benefits such as temporary modified work schedules after paid parental leave had been exhausted, the EEOC said.
"This settlement ensures that Estée Lauder will provide equal opportunities for time off to new dads and new moms, which is what the law requires, and what makes sense for families," EEOC Washington Field Office acting field director Mindy Weinstein said in a statement.