Unequal pay is not okay. In this country, and California, the motto should be “equal pay for equal work.” Unfortunately, we know that is not always the case. Workers in Los Angeles and throughout the country face disparities in pay depending on gender, race, ethnicity, and more.
At the Azadian Law Group, PC, we are devoted to protecting workers’ rights. If you are being paid unequally in the workplace, contact our Los Angeles unequal pay attorneys for help today.
Would it surprise you to learn that women who are in equal positions with the same responsibilities as their male coworkers are paid only, on average, $0.80 on the dollar compared to that male counterpart?
This has been a problem in the United States for far too long.
This is illegal.
The California Equal Pay Act was amended in 2005. The change made stated that an employer cannot pay employees wages that are less than what employees of the opposite sex, performing substantially similar work, are paid.
For example, suppose there are two supervisors at a fast-food restaurant, one male and one female. They both have the same duties and have been on the job for roughly the same amount of time. If the male supervisor is paid $20 an hour, but the female supervisor is paid $15 an hour, the employer is likely breaking the law.
If an employer is paying two workers of the opposite sex with substantially similar duties different pay, they must show that there are non-discriminatory reasons for the pay difference, such as:
The 2005 change to the California Equal Pay Act also prohibits employers from retaliating against an employee for discussing their wages.
Why is this change necessary?
Because these wage discussions make it possible for workers to have transparency about wages. By penalizing workers for discussing their wages, employers were essentially able to hide gender pay discrimination.
Gender is not the only factor when it comes to wage disparities. Studies also show that race is a factor in pay differences. Minorities are more likely to make less than their white counterparts in substantially similar jobs, and women of color are the ones who suffer the most from unequal pay disparities. Federal and state law both prohibit discrimination in the workplace based on race and ethnicity, among other things.
If you or someone you love has experienced, or are still experiencing, unequal pay in the workplace, please seek legal assistance. The knowledgeable and experienced employment lawyers at the Azadian Law Group, PC is ready to get to work on your behalf. Our goal is to secure the compensation you deserve, including:
When you need a Los Angeles unequal pay attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 213-229-9031.