Gender-based wage discrimination remains illegal under both New Jersey law and federal statutes such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act of 1963. Despite these protections, significant pay disparities persist, particularly affecting women in Northfield, NJ.
Research from the Pew Research Center shows that women earn less than men for the same work. In 2015, women earned just 83% of what men earned. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that full-time, year-round female employees still earn about 80% of their male counterparts’ wages.
Among women aged 25 to 34, earnings rise to roughly 90% of men’s pay, but the gap remains. In female-dominated industries such as childcare, women earn about 95% of male wages, effectively requiring them to work 44 extra days per year to match men’s earnings. Promotion paths also lag behind men’s; for example, female school principals often gain three more years of teaching experience before advancing due to career breaks or reduced hours for family care.
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 mandates equal pay for substantially similar work regardless of job title. Employees can address wage discrimination directly in federal or state courts without filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission first. The law also prohibits employers from lowering higher-paid employees’ wages to resolve pay disparities.
Historically, unequal pay stemmed from assumptions that women’s earnings were secondary and societal norms placing women in homemaking roles. These outdated beliefs continue to influence wage gaps today.
In Northfield and across New Jersey, the Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act, passed in 2018, reinforces protections against wage discrimination. It makes it illegal to pay members of protected classes less than others for comparable work, allowing exceptions only for merit, seniority, or other lawful factors. The Act permits employees to claim up to six years of back pay for violations, provides treble damages, and prohibits retaliation for discussing compensation.
For individuals facing wage discrimination in Northfield, NJ, Castronovo & McKinney, LLC provides expert legal guidance. Our team thoroughly understands equal pay laws and is dedicated to helping clients pursue compensation for unfair practices. We assess each case and advocate for the rights of employees to ensure fair treatment in the workplace.