Do employers have to pay identical wages to workers doing similar jobs?

The amended Equal Pay Act prohibits an employer from paying any of its employees wage rates that are less than what it pays employees of the opposite sex, or of another race, or of another ethnicity for substantially similar work, when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility, and performed under …

What employers are subject to the Equal Pay Act?

The law generally applies to all employers doing business in California and covers public and private sector employees . “Substantially similar work” refers to work that is mostly similar in skill, effort, and responsibility, and is performed under similar working conditions .

Why are there laws about equal pay for equal work?

Differences between employee pay rates are only allowable due to something unrelated to an employee’s sex, like seniority, merit, and quantity or quality of production. Under the Equal Pay Act, an employer paying employees unfair amounts must adjust the wages. Employers cannot decrease the wages of the employee with the higher pay.

Is it illegal to pay different wages for the same job?

This difference in pay could be based on each employee’s levels of skill and experience. Although it could cause some friction within the workplace, it doesn’t mean you have a claim for Equal Pay. There are some circumstances where there are lawful reasons to make an Equal Pay claim.

Can a company pay equal wages to men and women?

Employers cannot pay unequal wages to women and men for jobs that require equal skill, effort, and responsibility and are performed under similar working conditions at the same establishment.

Do you have to work at the same place to get equal pay in California?

The California Fair Pay Act states that employees do not need to work at the same location to have comparable jobs. For example, an employee working at John’s Office Bureau on 6th Street should receive the same wages as an employee working at John’s Office Bureau on Smith Road if they perform the same job.

Why do employers not have to pay equal wages to women?

Specifically, the EPA provides that employers may not pay unequal wages to men and women who perform jobs that require substantially equal skill, effort and responsibility, and that are performed under similar working conditions within the same establishment. Each of these factors is summarized below:

What do you need to know about Equal Pay Act?

There are several elements that must be met in compensation discrimination complaints under the Equal Pay Act. The jobs being compared must require substantially equal skill, effort, and responsibility and be performed under similar working conditions within the same establishment.

When do employers have to raise pay for equal work?

If there is an inequality in wages between men and women who perform substantially equal jobs, employers must raise wages to equalize pay but may not reduce the wages of other individuals. What is Required to Substantiate an Equal Pay Act Claim?

What are the facts about equal pay and compensation discrimination?

This encompasses two factors: (1) physical surroundings like temperature, fumes, and ventilation; and (2) hazards. The prohibition against compensation discrimination under the EPA applies only to jobs within an establishment.