Pittsburgh engineering firm settles pay discrimination allegations with U.S. Labor Department

An international engineering and consulting firm with roots in Beaver County has entered into a settlement to resolve allegations of pay discrimination against female employees.

Michael Baker International, headquartered in Pittsburgh, agreed to pay more than $120,000 in back wages and interest, after a routine compliance review by the U.S. Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.

The Labor Department said it found that the company paid female professionals in its engineering unit less than male workers in similar positions beginning in 2020.

The company holds federal contracts with the General Services Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Defense Department. As a federal contractor, it is prohibited from discriminating in employment decisions based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

“The conciliation agreement with Michael Baker International demonstrates the Department of Labor’s continued efforts to bridge gender wage gaps and successfully achieve pay equality for women,” said Samuel B. Maiden, regional director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs in Philadelphia.

According to the Labor Department, in addition to back pay and interest, Michael Baker International officials also agreed to conduct pay analysis for the affected group of employees; make salary adjustments if any significant disparities are found based on gender; review and revise its overall compensation system; and provide additional training for managers to ensure future compliance.

Company officials could not be reached for comment late in the business day Thursday.

The federal prohibition on workplace discrimination has been in place since 1965 and been expanded several times since.