LeachGarner to Pay $2.8 Million in EEOC Pay Discrimination Suit

According to the EEOC LeachGarner, Inc., a metallurgical manufacturer and supplier, will pay $2.8 million and provide other relief to settle a federal sex discrimination lawsuit, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced today. The EEOC’s lawsuit alleged that for years LeachGarner routinely assigned female manufacturing employees at its Attleboro, Massachusetts facility to lower paying jobs. Manufacturing positions were held nearly exclusively by men and paid more than those held by women, even though the male dominated positions required no prior experience and they involved similar work. LeachGarner also told staffing agencies that it preferred men for certain vacancies, the suit alleged. Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act (EPA), both of which prohibit discrimination based on sex. Arlean Nieto, the acting director of the EEOC’s New York District, said, “Title VII and the EPA require equal pay for equal work. All employers should take steps to ensure that they are allowing men and women an equal chance to earn good wages.” (EEOC v. LeachGarner d/b/a LeachGarner, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, Case No. 23-cv-11014)