PHILADELPHIA – Two women are suing their employer following changes in the company that allegedly resulted in discriminatory actions in regards to salaries.
Mary Jane Cortellessa and Rita Stout filed a class-action lawsuit Aug. 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Connolly LLC, alleging violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law.
According to the complaint, Cortellessa, 49, and Stout, 54, were employed by Connolly as auditors, and during their time of employment were paid competitively by the company. From 2008 until 2014, Cortellessa worked for the company, though she left to work for another employer for several months in 2014. When she returned to Connolly, she was told of a new auditor compensation system and was led to believe that she would be fairly compensated for her labor. However, younger male auditors began to make significantly more than the older women, the complaint states. Stout suffered similar discrimination.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for all lost wages, legal fees and other damages sustained. Cortallessa and Stout are represented by Michael J. Salmanson or Salmanson Goldshaw PC in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:15-cv-04871-HB