What type of discrimination claim should female graduates file for pay discrepancies?

Female graduates facing pay discrepancies should file a disparate treatment discrimination claim. Disparate treatment occurs when an individual is treated less favorably than others based on a protected characteristic, in this case, gender. This type of claim focuses on intentional discrimination—showing that the employer pays female employees less than male employees for substantially equal work, indicating unequal treatment based solely on gender.

This approach allows female graduates to argue that their compensation does not reflect their qualifications or responsibilities compared to their male counterparts, highlighting the discrimination in pay practices. The law requires employers to provide equal pay for equal work, and if it's proven that women are being intentionally paid less due to their gender, they can seek remedies under employment law.

The other options do not adequately represent the nature of the claim regarding pay discrepancies. Hostile environment discrimination addresses workplace harassment rather than pay; disparate impact refers to policies that, while neutral on the surface, disproportionately affect one group over another—typically requiring different evidence than pay discrepancies. Retaliation pertains to adverse actions taken against an employee for exercising their rights and does not specifically cover pay-related issues.