Legal Question in Discrimination Law in Florida

Sexual Discrimination Preventing Salary Advancement

I have been working for the past 8 years for a large, private, corporation with over 250 employees. I am the administrative assistant to the top three bosses (the Pres/CEO, VP, and CFO). I work in the company's headquarters. I have watched the company grow over the years and I believe that my professional, dedicated and hard-working attitude has in no small measure been a part of this company's success. However, while others in the organization have made significant financial strides in their salaries, I have not seen appropriate increases in my paycheck. I believe that part of the problem is that all three bosses are chauvenistic foreigners who are pretty much still in the dinosaur era when it comes to women. I also believe that I am such an efficient and hard-working person that I make my job look easy! I believe I have been overly patient but the mistreatment is getting to me. Other than finding employment elsewhere, do I have any rights to seek a fair wage for the work I do? Thank you.


Asked on 5/04/00, 7:57 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Kelly Henderson

Re: Sexual Discrimination Preventing Salary Advancement

The Equal Pay Act requires that males and females doing the same job at the same company receive equal pay. Assuming you have no "equal" at your company this law will not apply to you. However, you call your bosses "chauvenistic foreigners" and if they have made gender based statements that indicate the terms of your employment are being adversely affected because you are a woman, then you may have an employment discrimination claim based on your sex. Still, it is not against the law for a company to try and pay the least amount in wages that it legally can. From the facts given, I would not suggest that filing a charge of discrimination unless all else failed. You may want to update your resume before you make a demand. Send me an e-mail if you any specific questions and good luck.

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Answered on 6/21/00, 1:50 pm


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