“Happiest Place on Earth” Not So Happy for Women? Disney Under Fire, Accused of Paying Women Less Than Men

April 2 was Equal Pay Day, and it was marked by the filing of a class-action lawsuit in Los Angeles against Disney. The plaintiffs in this suit allege that Disney “systematically pays women less than men” and those female workers are not valued as much as their male counterparts. Two employees named as plaintiffs in the suit—Karen Moore and LaRonda Rasmussen—say that Disney paid them less than men who perform the same work, with the discrepancy in wages creating a gap of as much as $40,000 annually.

At Rager & Yoon – Employment Lawyers, our Los Angeles discrimination lawyer is a staunch advocate for our working clients. If you are facing wage discrimination based on your gender, reach out to our team today to discuss the merits of your case.

The employees in this suit are asking for relief via lost benefits and compensation. They also want Disney to step up to the plate and put lawful policies into place that include equal pay. The attorneys handling the suit have asked for it to represent all women who worked for Disney since 2015.

Rasmussen, one of the plaintiffs, purportedly requested an audit that revealed that female workers were being paid less than male workers at Disney “across the board,” notes the complaint. The suit says this is due in part to a policy that bases the salary of employees on the previous salaries they earned with former employers. This mechanism is commonly used to perpetuate the pay gap between the sexes throughout many industries.

Disney, for its part, denies the claims made by the employees in the suit. Disney claims the suit has no merit, and it says that it will provide a vigorous defense against it. According to Deadline, Disney in the UK also pays its male workers more than female workers. Companies in the UK are required to release salary information to the public. Deadline notes that male workers at Disney are paid around 22 percent more than female workers. The case against Disney is still evolving, and it will be interesting to see how it shakes out when the dust settles.

What is Equal Pay Day?

Equal Pay Day is a relatively new awareness holiday that observes and draws attention to the fact that women are routinely and systematically paid less than men, despite their education levels, experience, history and other factors. Equal Pay Day also marks the day in the new year when pay for women—when combined with their pay for the previous year—finally reaches the level that their male counterparts made the year before.

Are You a Woman Making Less Than a Man?

Women who perform the same work as men and have the same experience as men should be paid the same as men. Rager & Yoon – Employment Lawyers is steadfast support of equal pay, and we’re ready to take on employers who value male work over female work. Contact our Los Angeles discrimination attorney now to discuss your case or schedule a consultation with our compassionate, knowledgeable and experienced team at 310-527-6994.