Three female physicians filed a federal lawsuit Monday against Charlotte, N.C.-based Carolinas HealthCare System, alleging they were paid less than a male counterpart for equal work, according to The Charlotte Observer.
Specifically, the lawsuit claims the three female physicians, who all have significant experience as hospital pediatricians — Amy Morgan, MD, Terri Smith, MD, and Erin Harris, MD — were paid substantially less than a male coworker. Dr. Morgan has more experience than the male coworker and acts as his supervisor, Dr. Smith has two more years of experience as a pediatrician than the male coworker and Dr. Harris has approximately the same amount of experience as a hospital pediatrician as the male physician, according to the report.
Carolinas HealthCare has a "pattern and practice of paying female physicians less than similarly situated or even less qualified, male physicians," the lawsuit states. The female physicians allege they were paid less solely because of their gender.
Carolinas HealthCare disputes the allegations. "Carolinas HealthCare System is consistently committed to fair and equitable compensation for all of our teammates, and we abide by all state and federal employment laws," the system said in a statement to The Charlotte Observer.
The three female physicians plan to end their contracts with Carolinas HealthCare this year, according to the report.
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