Equal Pay

WHAT IS EQUAL PAY LAW?

Men and women in the same workplace are required by the Equal Pay Act to receive equal compensation for equal work. By the same token, people cannot be given lower pay due to their race, age or disability status. Although the jobs in question do not have to be identical, they need to be considered substantially equal. This is determined by the content or tasks involved in doing the jobs. The law covers all types of payment, including salaries, overtime, stock options and bonuses, profit sharing, vacation and holiday pay, life insurance, gasoline allowances and reimbursements for hotel and travel expenses. If pay inequality is determined, the employer is not allowed to reduce the compensation of the more highly-paid party to remedy the situation.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO HIRE THE RIGHT ATTORNEY FOR EQUAL PAY DISPUTES

If you believe you are not being paid as much as your colleagues for doing substantially the same job, the stakes are high. This situation is not just unfair in terms of your paycheck; it also affects what you can give to your family today and to yourself in the future when it’s time to retire. Furthermore, lower compensation means that it may take you longer to pay off your student loans, leading to months or even years of additional interest payments.

The burden is on you to prove that you are not being fairly compensated. Having a capable equal compensation lawyer on your side throughout the process can give you the legal information, credibility and encouragement that can ultimately lead to a determination in your favor. This person can make a case that your job is substantially equal to the higher-paying one your colleagues are doing by reviewing such factors as the skills, effort and responsibility required as well as the working conditions and job establishment.

HOW CAN AN ATTORNEY IN EQUAL PAY LAW HELP ME AND PROTECT MY RIGHTS?

If your job is located in California, you are covered under the Fair Pay Act of 2016 as well as by federal equal opportunity statutes. A skilled employment attorney can fully explain all of your rights and responsibilities as well as how the new legislation is changing the landscape of payment discrimination lawsuits. An attorney also adds a level of importance to your case; documents sent to your employer by a lawyer tend to be taken seriously and are generally acted upon much more quickly. In sensitive issues such as this where emotions can run high, it can be very helpful to have the stability and support of a legal professional throughout the process.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A CASE OR CLAIM?

Talking to a qualified attorney is often the best way to determine the validity of your suspicions that you are not receiving equal compensation for doing the same job as one or more of your colleagues. By federal law, you cannot be discriminated against because of your race, gender, age, nationality, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, military status or religion. Some states provide for additional categories as well. Your lawyer will determine if you are in a protected class and if you were treated differently from those who were not in a similar category. The strength of your case is markedly enhanced if you have witnesses. Documents, videos or other evidence to show that you were discriminated against on the basis of pay.

The experts at the Lee Legal Group have years of experience in winning equal compensation discrimination cases. We know how to help you prove your allegations, and we can assist you in getting compensation for the losses you have suffered. This may include pay, benefits, emotional distress and punitive damages. Our smart and compassionate attorneys will be at your side from beginning to end, ensuring that you get the fair treatment and pay you deserve. The only way to know what you can gain is by calling us today for a free consultation. You have nothing to lose.