When statistics showed that women weren’t being compensated as well as men, the federal Equal Pay Act of 1963 was implemented. The Equal Pay Act prohibits employers from paying employees of one sex less than employees of the opposite sex for doing the same work. However, the Equal Pay Act does not prevent employees from retaliation for discussing wages amongst each other, however other laws may protect this employee conduct. Despite this law, pay discrimination continues and the wage gap persists. Recently, California passed the Fair Pay Act, which seeks to prohibit employers from paying employees of one sex less than employees of the opposite sex for performing similar work, even if it is not occurring at the same job site. This law, which gives workers more protections, may help prevent future pay and sex discrimination.
Link: http://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/how-californias-fair-pay-act-will-help-women
Source: By Vauhini Vara; From The New Yorker
