By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has agreed to pay $379,089 to settle an allegation of wage discrimination stemming from a federal audit of its St. Joseph facility conducted in 2015.
The agreement comes after a compliance review of 2014 data conducted by the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. Boehringer is a global pharmaceutical company and a federal contractor.
The office alleged Boehringer discriminated in its base compensation of 75 female employees working as scientists, technicians, and technical administrators in the section in St. Joseph which manufactures biological animal vaccines. Boehringer tells St. Joseph Post 29 of those women still work with the company in St. Joseph.
“The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to combating pay discrimination and ensuring fair compensation of all employees,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Midwest Regional Director Carmen Navarro in a written statement released by his office. “Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. worked cooperatively with the Department to resolve these matters and to prevent similar issues from happening again.”
Boehringer has agreed to provide back pay and interest under the agreement as well as ensure that its pay schedules are free of discrimination. Training will be provided to all managers, supervisors and other company officials who oversee pay decisions.
Boehringer denies the allegations and admits no liability in the case.
This article has been updated for clarity and to provide additional detail.