Veteran E Network presenter and host Catt Saddler quits her job with the popular tv network after finding out her co-host Jason Kennedy was being paid twice as much as she was for the same job. Sadler was notified by an unnamed executive at the network of the disparity in her and Kennedy’s salary after which she requested an increase in salary for what she knows she deserved but was repeatedly denied.
Inequality in pay is a form of sexual discrimination
Feminists and non-feminists alike have lobbied for years for equity in pay for women; it is no secret that for years men have been earning far more than women for doing the same job that women do simply because they are men.
The concept of pay equity ensures or should ensure the elimination of discrimination in sex and race when it comes to salary agreements in the workplace.
A person’s sex is no indicator of strength or competence in a particular field and should not be the defining factor in determining how much to pay the individual within an organization. Since the “equal pay act' of 1963 it has been, it has been illegal in the United States to pay men and women working in the same place different salaries for similar work. According to the labor laws if the job duties and responsibilities are comparable and if the qualifications of both employees are the same then they should be compensated equally in pay and benefits.
Sadly more than four decades later E! Seem to have not gotten the memo that this is illegal and sexist.
Sadler takes a stance against sexism
Sadler has worked with the network since 2006, so her departure has come as a surprise to many who know her in her capacity as a host on the network, although she has been with them for over a decade Catt was determined to make a bold statement against sexism upon her exist from the network.
She made a statement via her website citing her motivation to leave E! Following the shocking revelation, Sadler stated in her post “How can I remain silent when my rights under the law have been violated? How can we make it better for the next generation of girls if we do not stand for what is fair and just today?” she further stated "There was a massive disparity in pay between my similarly situated male co-host and myself.
He was making close to double my salary for the past several years." She also expressed her desire to remain with the network initially but decided against it because the decision was made for her and she had to go.
The network has yet to make a statement explaining the reasons for the huge gap in Sadler and Kennedy’s salaries but did make a statement to the BBC a spokesperson stated "E! compensates employees fairly and appropriately based on their roles, regardless of gender. We appreciate Catt Sadler's many contributions at E! News and wish her all the best following her decision to leave the network.In a separate statement to People’s Magazine a spokesperson for E! stated “ We wish Catt Saddler all the best in her endeavors following her decision to leave E! News”
