The Walt Disney Company has agreed to a $43.25 million settlement in a gender pay discrimination class action lawsuit. According to court filings Monday.
The agreement resolves allegations first raised in a 2019 lawsuit brought by Disney employee LaRonda Rasmussen, who claimed she was paid less than male employees in the same position. . More female employees subsequently joined the lawsuit, and a California judge granted the motion for class certification in December 2023.
Among the plaintiffs' claims is that before 2018, Disney “adopted a company-wide compensation policy” that paid women lower starting salaries than men. Disney did the same, According to the plaintiffs“Part of the reason is that Disney bases starting salaries on previous salaries, which have historically included disparities based on gender.”
In their argument, the plaintiffs relied on the following points: Labor economists' findings The analysis found that from 2015 to 2022, “women at Disney are paid less than similarly-positioned men,” with a female pay penalty of 2.01%. Disney disputed the analysis.
In a statement, a Disney spokesperson said: “We have always been committed to paying our employees fairly, and we have demonstrated that commitment in this case. We are pleased that this matter has been resolved.” said.
Plaintiffs' attorney Kristin Webber praised the efforts of current and former female Disney employees in reaching the settlement.
“This settlement would not have been possible without these courageous women, and because of them, women can expect fair treatment at Disney in the future,” Webber said in a statement. “I am hopeful that the court will move quickly to approve the settlement so that best practices are utilized and these hardworking women can move forward with confidence unencumbered by further litigation.” I guess.”
