JPMorgan Analyst Sues Over Pay Gap With Male Colleague in UK

Core Points - JPMorgan Chase & Co. is facing a lawsuit in London from an analyst alleging gender discrimination and retaliation for raising pay disparity concerns [1][2] - The analyst, Saidya Najeeb, claims she was underpaid compared to a male colleague and experienced negative treatment after voicing her concerns [3][7] - Najeeb is seeking £58,000 ($75,664) in compensation, which includes pay differences and emotional distress [3] Summary by Sections Allegations and Claims - Najeeb joined JPMorgan in March 2022 and claims discrimination until her transfer to the asset management division in October 2023 [2] - She alleges retaliation from her manager after highlighting her pay issues, stating that she received negative feedback and was excluded from office events [3][7] Legal Context - Under the UK's Equality Act, equal pay for equal work is mandated, with allowances for differences in experience [3] - Gender pay disputes have gained attention in London, particularly after a significant ruling in favor of a BNP Paribas broker in 2022 [4] Pay Disparity - The average woman in the UK financial sector earned about 20% less than male colleagues in 2024, with investment banks showing a more severe gap [5] - Najeeb's salary was £55,000, which was claimed to be within the correct range, while her male colleague earned approximately £5,000 more in the first year and £8,000 more in the second year [8] Company Response - JPMorgan's lawyers denied the allegations, stating that salary differences were based on industry experience and skills [2][6] - The bank referred Najeeb's complaint to an independent hearing manager, who rejected her grievance, asserting that gender was not a factor in salary decisions [6][8]