Federal Contractor in Florida Pays More than $80,000 to Resolve Gender Discrimination Claim

On September 25th, 2024, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) reported that an employer from Florida—a federal contractor—has agreed to pay more than $80,000 and furnish other relief in order to resolve a gender discrimination claim. Western Global Airlines reportedly engaged in gender pay discrimination at its facility in Southwest Florida (Lee County). Nearly two dozen female employees were provided with back pay as part of the settlement.

Settlement: Gender Pay Discrimination at Florida Contractor’s Facility 

Western Global Airlines is a federal contractor. The company—which provides a broad range of air cargo transportation services—is headquartered in Lee County, Florida. During a routine compliance review of its employment practices, the DOL determined that the company engaged in gender pay discrimination. The DOL reports that the employer has voluntarily agreed to resolve the matter. It will pay $84,727 in back wages and bonuses to 18 affected female employees. Additionally, the company has made more than $150,000 in pay equity adjustments to the salary of current female employees to remedy gender pay disparity going forward.

A Pay Disparity Based on Gender is Discrimination 

Employees should not be treated less favorably than similarly-qualified co-workers based on legally protected characteristics, including sex and gender. A pay disparity that is based on gender not only undermines the principle of equality but also constitutes clear discrimination in the workplace. The disparity can violate federal law, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Equal Pay Act. An employer can be held liable for a discriminatory gender pay disparity. Affected employees may be entitled to compensation for back pay, interest, and other damages.

Note: A refusal to offer female employees the fair and equitable opportunity to compete for promotion into higher paying positions can also constitute gender discrimination and/or gender pay discrimination. It is often a related matter in gender pay cases.

Contractors Held to Heightened Standards (Executive Order 11246) 

A key point in this case is that the Florida-based employer (Western Global Airlines) served as a federal contractor. Under Executive Order 11246, federal contractors are held to heightened standards to ensure non-discrimination in their workplace. Indeed, the executive order—which was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson—mandates that contractors receiving substantial federal funds must not only avoid discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. The DOL enforces these Executive Order 11246 through the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). The OFCCP conducts ongoing audits of federal contractors and requires these employers to produce detailed compliance reports. In this case, the gender pay violation was discovered through an OFCCP audit of the contractor.

 Get Help From a Gender Discrimination Attorney in Florida Today 

No employee should be treated less favorably due to stereotypes about their sex or gender. An employer in Florida may be liable for gender discrimination under state law or federal law. If you have questions about a specific case, our Florida gender discrimination lawyers can help.