Legislative Update: Paycheck Fairness Act

With the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act passed, the pay equity community turns its attentions to the Paycheck Fairness Act. This legislation was introduced with the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and was approved by the House, but has yet to reach the Senate.

The Paycheck Fairness Act would strengthen the Equal Pay Act (EPA) and allow it to fulfill its promise that women would receive equal pay for equal work, a promise that has remained unfulfilled now for forty five years. The EPA narrowed the wage gap, which previously had women earning 59 cents to a man's dollar, but so far it still has not been able to close it. Women now make 78 cents to a mans dollar, an negligible increase from 2006 when women made 77 cents. The Paycheck Fairness Act would prohibit employers from retaliating against workers who share salary information. This information is often key to uncovering instances of pay discrimination. The bill would also ensure that if there are pay-disparities, they are based on legitimate work-related reasons rather than gender. Essentially, it would close the loopholes that riddled the EPA and create systems and tools that would offer women legal protection from pay discrimination.

We will continue providing you with updates on the Paycheck Fairness Act. For more information, check out these resources:

• How the Paycheck Fairness Act Will Strengthen the Equal Pay Act from the National Women's Law Center
• The Paycheck Fairness Act, H.R. 1338, is Essential to Combating Pay Discrimination Against Women in the Workplace from the National Partnership for Women & Families