Do You Get a Fair Pay?

Check your salary: compare your earnings against what other people get for the same job in the same state with our free, independent Salary Calculator. In return, to keep our Calculator updated, share your Pay and Job Info and fill out our anonymous Salary Survey.

Paycheck Fairness Act

Women still earn only 78 cents for every dollar earned by men. Who thought that the fight for equal pay was over after the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act - it isn't. The Paycheck Fairness Act would help to deter wage discrimination against women. The National Women's Law Center has opened a site with the possibility to email Senators to support this bill. The Center is also asking to Blog for Fair Pay. This will help to make a statement on Equal Pay Day on April 28, 2009. This date will mark the point when the average woman's wages finally catch up with the average of man in 2008, according to the Centre.

Obama Signs Equal Pay Bill

President Barack Obama signed an equal pay bill into law on January 29, 2009. Click on the next link to read more about the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

What is employment discrimination?

Employment discrimination occurs when employers base hiring, promotion, job assignment termination and compensation decisions on an individuals:

  • Race
  • Sex
  • Religion
  • National Origin
  • Physical disability
  • Age
Of course there are exceptions to these laws for certain occupations but they apply to most jobs in the United States.

Race, Sex, Religion, National Origin

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to most employers engaged in interstate commerce with more than 15 employees, labor organizations, and employment agencies. The Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

Sex includes pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. It makes it illegal for employers to discriminate in hiring, discharging, compensation, or terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

Employment agencies may not discriminate when hiring or referring applicants. Labor organizations are also prohibited from basing membership or union classifications on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Physical Disability

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted to eliminate discrimination against those with handicaps. It prohibits discrimination based on a physical or mental handicap by employers engaged in interstate commerce and state governments. The type of discrimination prohibited is broader than that explicitly outlined by Title VII.

The Black Lung Act prohibits discrimination by mine operators against miners who suffer from "black lung" (pneumoconiosis).

Age

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of age. The prohibited practices are nearly identical to those outlined in Title 7. An employee is protected from discrimination based on age if he or she is over 40. The ADEA contains explicit guidelines for benefit, pension and retirement plans.

Where can I go to if I think I'm being discriminated against? Contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

File a charge of discrimination with the EEOC.
Don't forget to take our Salary Survey!

Check your salary: compare your earnings against what other people get for the same job in the same state with our free, independent Salary Calculator. In return, to keep our Calculator updated, share your Pay and Job Info and fill out our anonymous Salary Survey.

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