Disney settles class action lawsuit for $43 million over women’s pay discrepancies
Disney has recently settled a class action lawsuit regarding gender-based pay disparities. The settlement involves a payment of approximately $43.25 million to address the claim that Disney was compensating male employees more than their female counterparts for the same positions. This issue has been ongoing for the last five years, ever since LaRonda Rasmussen filed the initial lawsuit in 2019.
The lawsuit alleged that Disney’s compensation practices were influenced by gender rather than performance, as Rasmussen discovered that male employees with the same job title were being paid significantly more than her, despite her qualifications and experience. Over the years, around 9,000 women, both current and former employees, joined the lawsuit as Disney disputed the claims.
The settlement, which is currently pending approval by a judge, is expected to benefit up to 14,000 eligible female Disney employees who have been with the company since 2015. It’s important to note that the settlement does not extend to female employees at Hulu, ESPN, Pixar, or former Fox properties.
In response to the settlement, a Disney spokesperson stated that the company has always been committed to fair pay practices and is pleased to have resolved this matter. This settlement highlights the importance of addressing pay disparities based on gender and ensuring equitable compensation for all employees.
