The Equal Pay Act and Salary or Wage Discrimination

Full Video Transcript

Men and women are entitled to equal pay for equal work. The Equal Pay Act requires employers to pay men and women the same wages if they do substantially the same work. When deciding if work is substantially the same, the Equal Pay Act requires employers to consider such things as the education/qualifications of the employee, the skill of the employee, the employee’s job responsibilities, and working conditions. All of these things together determine whether the work is substantially similar and whether those who do the work are entitled to equal pay under the law. The Equal Pay Act entitles employees not only to equal pay but also to equal benefits. That means that employees who do equal work should receive equal insurance benefits, retirement benefits, and paid time off, for example. If you have not received equal pay or equal benefits for substantially similar work, then you may have a legal claim against your employer. You can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, or in federal court to recover back pay or benefits.