Castronovo & McKinney, LLC specializes in legal services addressing employment discrimination in Absecon, NJ. Under New Jersey law and federal statutes like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act of 1963, gender-based pay discrimination is illegal. Despite these laws, wage disparities continue to affect women significantly.
A 2015 Pew Research Center study indicated that women earned only 83% of what men made for comparable hours. Although this has improved from 67% in 1980, the United States Census Bureau reports a wider gap, with women earning only 80% of men’s wages among full-time, year-round employees. Women aged 25 to 34 face a narrower gap, earning 90% of their male counterparts’ wages, but challenges in achieving pay equality persist across age groups. Even in predominantly female fields like childcare, women earn approximately 95% of what men make for similar roles. To match men’s annual earnings, women must work an average of 44 extra days per year.
Career advancement is another hurdle for women. According to UrbanMinistry.org, women often take longer to ascend in their careers, particularly in education, where female principals have three more years of teaching experience than their male peers before promotion. The Pew Research Center suggests this is partly due to women taking career breaks for family care and childbirth, with about one in four women reporting significant reductions in their work commitments due to these responsibilities. This trend impacts women’s professional growth and earnings in Absecon and across New Jersey.
The Equal Pay Act
In Absecon and throughout New Jersey, the Equal Pay Act of 1963 is crucial for ensuring wage equality. The Act requires that jobs, while not identical in title, be substantially similar in duties to warrant equal pay. It allows employees to pursue grievances in federal or state courts without first filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Notably, the Act prohibits reducing the wages of higher-paid employees to address pay disparities.
Historically, justifications for unequal pay have included high turnover rates among working women due to family commitments and societal biases. The Equal Pay Act permits wage differences based on merit, seniority, production quality or quantity, or factors unrelated to gender. Plaintiffs must prove they were paid less than male counterparts for substantially equal work. Although certain professional fields were exempt from the Act until 1972, enforcement shifted to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 1979, ensuring that the Act continues to protect workers today.
New Jersey and the New Equal Pay Act
The Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act represents a significant step forward in combating employment discrimination and pay inequality. Enacted on March 27, 2018, and effective July 1, 2018, it addresses the persistent wage gap, where women in the U.S. earned only 80 cents for every dollar earned by men as of 2015. Projections suggest achieving pay parity may not occur until 2059.
This Act prohibits employers from paying members of any protected class—such as race, color, ancestry, marital status, domestic partnership status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, gender expression or identity, or military service liability—less than non-members for substantially similar work. Legitimate pay differences based on merit or seniority are allowed.
Under this law, each instance of biased pay practice constitutes an illegal employment act, enabling affected workers to claim compensation for up to six years. Courts may impose treble damages for violations, including retaliation against employees discussing compensation. This legislation, championed by Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt, positions New Jersey as a leader in workplace equality and justice.
Contact Our Experienced New Jersey Equal Pay Attorneys
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC is dedicated to advocating for equal pay and has a proven track record of handling such claims in Absecon and throughout New Jersey. Our legal team prioritizes your rights and works diligently to ensure fair compensation. If you believe you’ve been unfairly compensated, contact us to assess your case and take decisive action toward achieving workplace justice and equality.
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC helps clients with their equal pay claims throughout New Jersey, including Absecon.