Seeking Pay Equity, Female Flutist Sues Boston Symphony Orchestra

Gordon Law Group featured on NPR supporting star flutist in a lawsuit against the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the MA Equal Pay Act (View Article)

Seeking Pay Equity: Female Flutist Sues Boston Symphony Orchestra for Equal Compensation

In a landmark case that is making waves in the music world, a female flutist is seeking pay equity against the prestigious Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). The musician, who has performed at the highest levels and held the principal flutist position at the BSO for several years, has filed a lawsuit claiming significant gender-based wage discrimination. Despite performing the same work and fulfilling the same responsibilities as her male counterparts, she claims that she has been paid far less, highlighting an ongoing issue of gender inequality in the arts.

The Allegations: Unequal Pay for Comparable Work

The lawsuit centers on the claim that the female flutist has been consistently underpaid compared to male musicians performing the same role within the BSO. She argues that, despite her qualifications and years of experience, she receives significantly lower pay than her male colleagues in equivalent positions, such as the principal oboist.

According to her complaint, the disparity in pay is not due to differences in experience, job duties, or performance quality but is instead rooted in gender-based discrimination. The flutist’s case is based on Massachusetts’ Equal Pay Act, which mandates that employees performing comparable work must be paid equally, regardless of gender.

The female flutist seeking pay equity is not only demanding fair compensation for her own work but is also bringing attention to the larger issue of pay inequality in the classical music world—an industry where women have historically been paid less than their male counterparts, despite holding equivalent or more senior positions.