Michigan sheriff's deputy who said she was denied work over her 4-7 height gets $215,000

3/13/2014

SAGINAW, Mich. — Saginaw County has agreed to pay $215,000 to a part-time sheriff’s deputy who says she was denied full-time work because she’s a 4-foot-7, 95-pound woman.

The county reached the settlement Feb. 19 toward the end of a civil trial in Saginaw County Circuit Court. The Saginaw News (http://bit.ly/1dVwnYD ) reported Thursday that it obtained the amount of the settlement through a state Freedom of Information Act request.

Bryce was hired part-time in 2010 and about a year later was considered for a full-time deputy’s job. She says she was discriminated against based on her sex and height.

County Controller Robert Belleman says the county settled to avoid paying more money if it lost the case. He says it doesn’t admit bias.

Bryce waives any claim to a job under the settlement.