Important Facts to Know About Compensation Discrimination
It is important for employers to treat workers in a fair and equal manner and compensate their employees for the work they perform. When it comes to wages, employers should make sure to fairly compensate individual workers based on their duties and performance, not their race, age, or gender. Employment laws exist to protect workers against compensation discrimination and to make sure that employers who do not follow the regulations set forth by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) are punished.
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 is a federal amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act. It was passed to protect men and women from compensation discrimination and made sure that persons performing the same duties are compensated equally, regardless of their sex. The San Antonio employment lawyers of Melton & Kumler, LLP would like to provide you with the following information about equal pay and discrimination in the workplace to help you better understand your rights when it comes to fair compensation for your work.
What is Compensation Discrimination?
If an employer fails to compensate workers in a fair and equal manner, the workers may be able to pursue legal action under the compensation discrimination laws. Workers in nearly every industry are covered by the Equal Pay Act, and private, state, and federal employers must follow the regulations set forth by the law.
Compensation that is covered under the Equal Pay Act includes:
- Salary
- Bonuses
- Overtime pay
- Profit sharing
- Stock options
- Vacation and sick pay
- Reimbursement for office and travel expenses
If an employee feels that he or she is not being paid in accordance to the duties he or she performs or if another individual of the opposite sex is being paid more for the same work, the individual may be entitled to pursue legal action against his or her employer. If you feel that you have been the victim of unfair treatment in the workplace it is wise to consult an experienced San Antonio employment lawyer to discuss your legal options.
How Is Equal Pay Determined?
Equal pay laws typically require that men and women be given equal compensation when it comes to salaries and benefits, and persons hired for the same duties should be paid in accordance with their job and not their job titles. The laws ensure that men and women receive the same base pay for the same duties, but they do not put restrictions on rewarding additional payment for exemplary performance or dedicated work.
The type of work performed is often a factor in determining equal pay for employees, and although the duties may not be exactly the same, the employer should take into consideration the amount of expertise required, the difficulty of the jobs, the responsibility put on the employees, and their overall value to the company. By consulting an experienced San Antonio employment lawyer, you may be able to learn more about how equal pay is determined and how it may affect your case.
Pursuing a Compensation Discrimination Claim
If you feel that you have been the victim of discrimination in the workplace, you may wish to pursue legal action against your employer. Persons who wish to file a compensation discrimination claim may file a claim under the Equal Pay Act or Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Persons may choose to register their claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or may decide to file the claim under the Equal Pay Act without notifying the EEOC.
It is important to consult an experienced employment attorney to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of filing a claim under the Civil Rights Act or the Equal Pay Act. For assistance with your compensation discrimination claim, contact the San Antonio employment lawyers of Melton & Kumler, LLP at 800-681-6932.