Pay Discrimination and Legal Protections
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 protections, wage disparity remains a significant issue in the United States.
Wage Disparity Statistics
A 2015 Pew Research Center study revealed that women earned only 83% of what men made for comparable work hours. This has improved from 1980, when women earned just 67% of men’s wages. The U.S. Census Bureau reports an even larger gap, with women earning only 80% of men’s wages for full-time, year-round employees. Women aged 25 to 34 earn 90% of what their male counterparts make. In fields like childcare, women earn about 95% of what men are paid for the same roles. On average, women must work an additional 44 days per year to match men’s annual earnings.
Women and Promotion
Women often face longer paths to career advancement, impacting their pay progression. In education, female school principals typically have three more years of teaching experience than their male counterparts before being promoted. Career breaks or reduced work hours for family care and childbirth significantly impact women’s professional trajectories and earning potential.
The Equal Pay Act
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 ensures wage parity in New Jersey and Fairfield Township. This Act mandates that jobs must be substantially similar in duties to warrant equal pay, emphasizing task similarity over job titles. Employees can directly approach federal or state courts with their grievances without first filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Wage differences are permissible based on merit, seniority, production quality or quantity, or factors other than gender. Plaintiffs must demonstrate that women were paid less than their male counterparts for substantially equal work.
New Jersey’s Equal Pay Act
The Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act, effective July 1, 2018, strengthens measures against pay disparity. This law makes it unlawful for employers to pay members of any protected class less than non-members for substantially similar work, with legitimate pay differences allowed for merit-based systems or seniority. The Act allows affected workers to claim compensation for up to six years and imposes treble damages for violations, including employer retaliation for discussing or disclosing compensation information.
Contact Our Experienced Equal Pay Attorneys
At Castronovo & McKinney, LLC, we advocate for equal pay throughout Fairfield Township and New Jersey. Our legal team is committed to ensuring your rights to fair compensation are upheld. We are prepared to represent you with dedication both in and out of court. If you believe you’ve been unfairly compensated, contact us to assess your case and take steps toward securing the justice and equality you deserve.
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC assists clients with their equal pay claims throughout New Jersey, including Fairfield Township.