Cisco Systems Agrees to Resolve Alleged Pay Discrimination in California

Cisco Systems Inc. has agreed to pay $2 million in lost wages and interest to affected employees in San Jose, Calif., and provide at least $2.7 million in pay-equity adjustments to its employees nationwide in the next five years in an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor.

The department claims that since August 2011, the company paid women, black and Hispanic employees less than comparable male and white employees in similar positions.

According to a compliance evaluation by the Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the discrimination occurred from at least Aug. 1, 2011. Federal law prohibits workplace discrimination based on, among other categories, race, gender, and national origin.

“The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs is satisfied that Cisco Systems Inc. has pursued an early resolution conciliation agreement, and addressed compensation equity nationwide,” Craig E. Leen, director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, said in a statement.