Los Angeles Equal Pay Act Lawyer

History of the Equal Pay Act

The Equal Pay Act (EPA) was signed into law by President John F. Kennedy on June 10, 1963. It was meant to address the ingrained sexism of our culture that resulted in women being paid about fifty cents for every dollar men earned, even when they worked the same jobs. Although the “wage gap,” as this phenomenon is called, remains an issue in the US, the situation has improved since the Act was passed, and the gap seems to be closing.

What the Equal Pay Act Guarantees

The EPA states that:

• It is illegal for employers to pay different wages on the basis of sex.
• Employers cannot equalize wages by reducing the pay of one sex.
• Employers can base salaries on almost any non-discriminatory factor, such as seniority, performance, quantity of production, etc.
• Employers who violate these laws can be ordered to pay the injured party missed wages, punitive damages, and liquidated assets.

Why Is the EPA Necessary?

Congress stated its reasons for passing the EPA within the Act itself. These reasons are:

• Sex-based discrimination damages the standard of living for affected employees, with affects their health and productivity.
• Wage gaps damage the economy by failing to maximize utilization of available human resources and causing labor disputes.
• Basing salary on employee’s sex creates unfair and unproductive competition.

What If My Rights Have Been Violated?

If you have been paid less money than you deserve because of your sex, you can regain the money you should have been earning by filing a sex discrimination suit against your employer. A dedicated Los Angeles employment attorney can review your case, offer advice, and argue for your rights.

Contact experienced Los Angeles sex discrimination attorney Perry Smith at 888-356-2529.