Gender-based wage discrimination remains unlawful under both federal and New Jersey state laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, and the Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act. Still, employers in Hammonton, NJ—and across the state—continue to pay women less than men for similar work.
While the wage gap has narrowed over decades, it remains significant. As of 2015, women earned only 83% of what men earned. For women ages 25 to 34, that figure was 90%. These numbers reflect persistent systemic barriers, not differences in performance or capability. Even in fields where women make up most of the workforce, such as childcare, they earn about 95% of what men do—translating to an extra 44 days of work annually just to catch up.
Wage inequality is further compounded by slower promotion paths. In education, for example, women must often accumulate more years of experience than their male peers before being considered for leadership roles. Factors like family care responsibilities and maternity leave contribute to this delay—but they do not excuse it.
The Equal Pay Act mandates equal pay for jobs that require substantially similar skill, effort, and responsibility. It allows employees to take legal action in federal or state court without first filing with the EEOC. The law also protects higher-paid employees from wage reductions as a means of achieving parity—employers must raise wages, not lower them.
New Jersey’s Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act strengthens these protections by making it illegal to pay workers in protected classes less than others for comparable work. It extends the statute of limitations for claims to six years and requires treble damages for violations. It also bars retaliation for employees who discuss their compensation with others.
Wage discrimination is often rooted in outdated assumptions—like the belief that women’s income is supplementary or that caregiving should derail career advancement. These ideas are not only wrong; they are illegal when they lead to unequal pay.
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC provides legal representation to workers in Hammonton facing wage discrimination. Our attorneys have deep experience with federal and state equal pay laws and are ready to help you hold your employer accountable. If you believe you’ve been underpaid based on gender or another protected characteristic, we can assess your case and pursue the compensation you’re owed.