CHARLOTTE, N.C.—A former managing director at PNC Bank has sued the bank in federal court, alleging she was paid less than male colleagues, retaliated against for reporting gender discrimination and ultimately terminated just before hundreds of thousands of dollars in restricted stock units were set to vest, Law360 reported.
The lawsuit was filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
According to the complaint, former Managing Director Nina Austin alleges PNC recruited her as a "token female" executive and then paid her significantly less than similarly situated male counterparts despite comparable responsibilities and performance. Austin claims she repeatedly raised concerns about gender-based pay disparities and discriminatory treatment to management and human resources officials, Law360 said.
The suit alleges that after making those complaints, Austin faced retaliation that included negative treatment, diminished opportunities and increased scrutiny. She contends PNC ultimately fired her shortly before a substantial grant of restricted stock units was scheduled to vest, depriving her of compensation worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Austin alleges the timing of her termination was designed to prevent her from receiving the equity awards, Law360 said.
Austin is seeking damages for alleged sex discrimination, unequal pay and retaliation under federal and state law. The case adds to a growing list of employment-discrimination lawsuits filed against major financial institutions in recent years, although PNC has not yet publicly responded to the allegations contained in the complaint. The bank will have an opportunity to contest the claims as the litigation proceeds.