Penn State University, the largest public university in Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay $703,742 in back wages and interest to resolve allegations of gender pay discrimination against female employees at the University Park campus, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) said on Sept. 18.
The department said a compliance review found that, since July 1, 2020, Penn State paid 65 female employees less than their male counterparts who held similar positions in facilities operations and maintenance, extension education, and senior administration jobs.
This also included some female faculty members in research professor roles and some women in teaching professor roles, the DOL said.
The DOL said Penn State’s actions violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin….