Prep School that Fired Employee in Retaliation on Sex-based Wage Discrimination Claim, Charged

November 10, 2008

Cleveland - A preparatory school is set to pay nearly $1 million for unlawfully firing in retaliation an employee who opposed sex-based wage discrimination through voicing his concern about unequal payment for woman.

James Whiteman of Lake Ridge Academy, was fired in retaliation after requesting information from the head of the school and the chief financial officer about the payment inequality, and noted that males were being paid more than females with the same education and work history.

Whiteman had been employed at the said North Ridgeville, Ohio-based prep school as chair of an accreditation study before he was fired.

According to a report, it was proven that Whiteman was fired in retaliation for opposing sex-based wage discrimination.

The jury had a unanimous verdict in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit, and awarded back pay of $50,000, front pay of $50,000, and compensatory damages of $500,000.

While the matter for punitive damages is still being deliberated by the jury, the parties agreed to settle the case for a total of $950, 000.