Real Life Story of Unequal Pay

Shirley, Rental Agent - Hennipen County, MN

Shirley was a rental agent at a company which developed and managed apartment complexes, in 1973. Her co-worker, Robert received a significantly higher weekly salary than her. Shirley learned of the difference in their compensation at a meeting in September of 1973. She subsequently demanded that she be paid the same as him. She was told that Robert's higher salary was because he was considered a "breadwinner," however there is evidence that they rented approximately the same number of apartments. About a month later, in October, Shirley was terminated. Shirley brought suit against her employer. The Supreme Court of Minnesota ruled in favor of Shirley, for the work she performed was essentially equal to that of her male coworker and therefore warranted equal pay.

Danz v. Jones, 263 N.W.2d 395 (Minn. 1978)