Both California and federal laws state that men and women should receive equal pay for equal work, but unfortunately, some employers still violate these laws. You should receive fair pay for the work you completed, regardless of your gender, skin color, religion and other factors.
If you believe that you are a victim of any type of workplace discrimination and are not receiving equal pay for your labor, you would be wise to work with a lawyer who can help you protect your civil rights and hold liable parties accountable. You do not have to fight for your interests by yourself.
The factors that determine your pay
In most cases, individuals should receive equal pay for doing equal work, even if jobs are not identical. In situations in which two employees are doing comparable work yet receiving unequal pay, there are multiple factors to take into consideration to determine if these two occupations should be “equal” in terms of compensation. These factors include:
- Skill
- Effort
- Responsibility
- Working conditions
- Establishment
If a man and woman are doing two different but essentially comparable jobs based on the above factors, then those two individuals should be receiving equal pay. There are cases in which two people may not receive equal pay for equal work, and exceptions pertain to situations in which one worker earns more merit, has seniority or produces a higher quality or quantity of work.
An employer must be able to justify any differentiation in pay between two individuals doing relatively equal work. The employer must present evidence that any difference in pay is due to legitimate factors, not gender-related issues. If you believe that you are a victim of discrimination and that you have rightfully earned higher pay, you would be wise to reach out for help as soon as possible.
Fighting to protect your civil rights
Protecting your civil rights can be an arduous and complicated process, especially when it comes to proving that you are the victim of some type of workplace discrimination. You can fight back against illegal and unfair treatment by seeking an explanation of your rights and options from an experienced attorney.
With the right help and legal guidance, you can fight for justice and hold the liable parties accountable for the treatment you received. You can seek restitution and damages, and work to protect others in the future from dealing with the same type of pay discrimination that impacted your life and career.