Pennsylvania State University has entered into a conciliation agreement with the United States Department of Labor to resolve alleged gender pay discrimination against women employees. The university will be required to pay $703,742 in back wages and interest to 65 women employees.
According to a recent compliance review from officials with the Department of Labor, Penn State allegedly paid 65 women employees less than male employees in similar positions since at least July 1, 2020. The affected women included staff members in the facilities, operations, and maintenance division, extension education, and senior administration, as well as faculty members in the College of Engineering, the Applied Research Laboratory, the College of Agricultural Sciences, and the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications.
The university’s actions violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. In addition to paying the affected women their missed wages, Penn State will take steps to ensure its compensation practices and policies align with federal requirements.
The conciliation agreement between Penn State and the Department of Labor can be accessed here.