Ex-University of Vermont computer specialist takes gender discrimination lawsuit to trial

A former University of Vermont employee is taking her gender discrimination case to court a week after national Equal Pay Day.

Cindy Ruescher, a former information technology specialist at the university, alleges in court documents that she was paid less than some male co-workers and excluded from job opportunities. Ruescher filed a grievance with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), leading to the current lawsuit filed at Vermont Superior Court in Burlington on Dec. 15, 2014.

"Upon information and belief, UVM tried to deceive the EEOC about the plaintiff's department's structure and staff to hide pay inequities based on gender," lawyer Siobhan McCloskey wrote in the 2014 complaint on behalf of Ruescher.

Lucy Singer, an associate general counsel for UVM at the time, wrote there was "no evidence" of denied opportunities or retaliation by managers after Ruescher spoke up about pay equity.

McCloskey alleges the university fired Ruescher four months after she filed her lawsuit. The university said the dismissal in April 2015 was related to a budget shortfall.

"We are pleased that the court earlier dismissed in its entirety Ms. Ruescher’s equal pay claim, which was the central claim in her lawsuit. We are confident that we will ultimately prevail in court on the lawsuit’s remaining claims," Enrique Corredera, executive director of communications at the university, wrote in a Monday email.

The judge dismissed Ruescher's first complaint regarding pay equity and a jury draw was set.

"Ruescher appears to be cherry picking employees and salaries that appear favorable to her legal argument," Judge Robert Mello wrote his Sept. 5, 2017 decision in which he stated the the salary differences in question were justified.

Ruescher's complaint details eight more counts against the university dating from her hiring in 2001. The complaint lists violations including: gender discrimination/hostile work environment, illegal retaliation, breach of contract, emotional distress, defamation, negligent hiring/retention and unjust enrichment.

The former employee is seeking back pay and other damages. The trial begins on April 16.

"The public and the media are invited to attend," McCloskey wrote in an email announcing a court date and its timing with Equal Pay Day. The date, April 10, "symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year due to the gender wage gap," according to Vermont Commission on Women.

Some women lawmakers are expected to wear red in Montpelier Tuesday as they read a resolution to officially designate Equal Pay Day.

Contact Nicole Higgins DeSmet ndesmet@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1845. Follow her on Twitter @NicoleHDeSmet.