HOUSTON, Texas – The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has brought a lawsuit against the Houston Independent School District (HISD) for alleged violation of federal law by paying women less than men. The EEOC claims that HISD paid female senior Career & Technical Education (CTE) program specialists lower wages compared to male colleagues despite performing similar work.
According to the EEOC, this discrimination has been ongoing since at least February 2019. In addition, the EEOC alleges that HISD made it more difficult for women to qualify for a higher starting salary based on their previous work experience. As a result, male CTE program specialists were paid more, even when their female counterparts had comparable or greater related experience.
The lawsuit accuses HISD of violating the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which prohibits gender-based wage discrimination. Rayford Irvin, the EEOC District Director, emphasized the commission’s commitment to ensuring equal pay for equal work, without any consideration of gender in compensation.
HISD responded to the lawsuit by stating that they cannot comment on pending legal matters. They redirected the focus to their commitment to preparing all students for the future and allowing the legal process to take its course.
Pay discrimination is a pervasive issue in many workplaces, and the EEOC continues to fight against such inequities. For more information on pay discrimination, visit the EEOC website.
In summary, HISD is facing a lawsuit filed by the EEOC, alleging that the district violated federal law by paying women less than men in similar positions. The lawsuit claims that HISD’s actions demonstrate a violation of the Equal Pay Act of 1963.