ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ A federal judge has ruled the Norwegian government violated Minnesota's equal-pay laws by paying a female former employee $30,000 less than a male counterpart.
U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson also ordered Norway to pay Ellen Ewald $170,594, which is double her lost wages, and $100,000 for emotional distress.
Ewald tells the Star Tribune she hopes the judgment can help other women who experience workplace discrimination.
Ewald worked at the Norwegian Consulate in Minnesota. In her lawsuit, Ewald said she thought the money for the positions would be split evenly between her and a male employee.
The judge rejected Norway's contention that there were differences in their responsibilities that required the consulate to pay the other worker more.
A message left for Norway's attorneys was not immediately returned.