Employment laws can be intimidating, complicated, and even uncomfortable at times. Therefore, below we will explain equal pay in more detail and help you define if you are getting paid appropriately. One key element to remember is that workers doing the same job should be paid the same amount of money. So let’s begin sharing facts you need to know about this complicated topic.
What is equal pay?
Equal pay is the right you have to receive the same salary as someone doing the same work. By law, men and women who perform equal work and have the same job must receive equal pay unless the employer can justify a salary difference.
In order to determine if a salary is appropriate, you can look for similar jobs on job search platforms for reference. Unfortunately, pay gaps still exists, and most of the time, pay gaps can be attributed to gender or factors like race and ethnicity, disability, access to education, and age. For example, statistics show that women working full time in the U.S. are still paid just 83 cents for every dollar earned by men.
How do I know I am being paid the same salary as my colleagues?
Finding out if you are being paid the same salary as a colleague can often be difficult because a worker’s salary is a private agreement between the worker and the employer. And, frequently, people are not very willing to disclose their salary or benefits information. However, these are some ways you could attempt to find out:
- Ask a close colleague (if not for an exact figure, for a range).
- Conduct an equal pay questionnaire.
- Check job posts for similar positions.
I am not getting paid appropriately; what should I do?
In 2017 in California, a law stated that it was illegal for employers to pay their employees less than the opposite sex or another race or ethnicity.
This means that if you are getting paid less than a coworker for the same job, your employer is breaking the law. In this case, you have the right to sue your employer and get the compensation you are legally entitled to. At this point, it is advisable to contact an experienced employment attorney who can provide guidance and help you navigate the legal process.
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