Filed Date: Jan. 14, 2025
Case Ongoing
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This class-action lawsuit was brought by female, Black, and Hispanic employees alleging that their employer, Mastercard, had systematically underpaid them. On January 14, 2025, Plaintiffs filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York under the Equal Pay Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and New York State and New York City human rights statutes. The putative class, represented by private counsel, consisted of all female, Black, and/or Hispanic employees currently or formerly employed by Mastercard in career levels 4–10 in the United States. They claimed that Mastercard systematically hired female, Black, and Hispanic into lower level positions than male and/or white employees, resulting in the class being paid less for performing substantially equal or similar work. They sought class certification, back pay, damages for emotional distress, liquidated and punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees.
Along with the complaint, on January 14, 2025, Plaintiffs filed an unopposed motion for certification of the class and for settlement. Pursuant to the proposed settlement, Defendant agreed to pay $26 million to cover back pay, attorney’s fees, and damages. Defendant also agreed to undertake a review of their hiring practices and career framework and to not oppose the motion for settlement.
Judge Jessica Clarke granted the motion for settlement on January 30, 2025, issuing a preliminary approval of the settlement and certification of the class. Final approval of the settlement is scheduled for May 14, 2025.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Erin Lichtenstein (2/24/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69541849/parties/hayman-v-mastercard-inc/
Gelfand, Shira Zahava (New York)
Greene, Cara Elizabeth (New York)
Klein, Adam T (New York)
Klein, Jeffrey S. (New York)
Sacksteder, Elizabeth M. (New York)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69541849/hayman-v-mastercard-inc/
Last updated April 22, 2025, 3:45 p.m.
State / Territory: New York
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Private Employment Class Actions
Key Dates
Filing Date: Jan. 14, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
All female, Black, and/or Hispanic employees currently or formerly employed by Mastercard in career levels 4–10 in the United States.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
Mastercard, Inc., Private Entity/Person
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Civil Rights Act of 1957/1960, 52 U.S.C. § 10101 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 1971)
Equal Pay Act, 29 U.S.C. § 206(d)
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Content of Injunction:
Other requirements regarding hiring, promotion, retention
Amount Defendant Pays: $26,000,000
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Area:
Discrimination Basis:
Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):
Affected Race(s):
Affected Sex/Gender(s):