Gender-based wage discrimination remains illegal under both New Jersey law and federal laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act of 1963. Despite these protections, pay disparities continue to affect many employees, particularly women, in Bergen County, NJ.
Data from the Pew Research Center and the U.S. Census Bureau shows that women continue to earn less than men for comparable work. Women working full-time, year-round earn approximately 80% of what male employees earn. Among workers ages 25 to 34, women earn about 90% of men’s wages, demonstrating that the wage gap narrows but has not disappeared.
Pay disparities also exist in industries where women make up most of the workforce. In fields such as childcare, women earn approximately 95% of what men earn for similar work, requiring many to work significantly longer to earn the same annual income. Women also frequently face slower career advancement. For example, female school principals often spend several more years in teaching positions before receiving promotions, in part because of career interruptions or reduced work schedules related to family responsibilities.
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 requires employers to provide equal pay for employees performing substantially similar work, regardless of job title. Employees who believe they have experienced wage discrimination may file claims directly in state or federal court without first filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The law also prohibits employers from reducing another employee’s wages to eliminate unlawful pay disparities.
Although many historical assumptions about gender roles have changed, outdated workplace practices and bias continue to contribute to unequal pay. Employers cannot justify wage differences based on gender when employees perform substantially similar work under similar conditions.
Employees in Bergen County, NJ, are also protected by the Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act, which became law in 2018. The Act prohibits employers from paying members of protected classes less than other employees performing substantially similar work unless the difference is based on legitimate factors such as seniority, merit, or other lawful business reasons. The law allows employees to recover up to six years of back pay, seek treble damages, and pursue claims against employers that retaliate against workers for discussing or questioning compensation.
If you believe you have been denied equal pay because of your gender in Bergen County, NJ, Castronovo & McKinney, LLC can evaluate your situation and explain your legal options. Our attorneys represent employees throughout New Jersey in wage discrimination matters, helping clients pursue compensation, recover lost wages, and hold employers accountable for violations of state and federal equal pay laws.
