Nova Southeastern to pay almost $900,000 for wage disparities

Nova Southeastern University in Davie will have to pay nearly $900,000 in back pay and salary adjustments after an evaluation found more than 80 women were being hurt by pay disparities.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs said it found pay disparities at Nova.

While the university is not admitting any wrongdoing, the Department of Labor said, it has agreed to pay $300,000 in back wages and spend $587,000 in salary adjustments.

The department’s preliminary findings showed that as of July 1, 2016, pay disparities existed for 86 women employed in business-related director and/ or manager positions by Nova Southeastern University.

The department said the university did not comply with Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on gender.

Aside from monetary changes, the university will be updating its recordkeeping and internal auditing procedures to meet legal requirements.

“Nova Southeastern University is taking multiple proactive steps to ensure equity in pay and promotion that will help it comply with current federal laws,” said Sam Maiden, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs southeast regional director.

The department is asking anyone who thinks they are eligible for back pay from the university to visit the OFCCP Class Member Locator.