Are employers allowed to pay employees differently based on their sex?

In California, employers are not allowed to pay employees differently based on their sex. This is because of the California Equal Pay Act, which was passed into law in 1949. This Act makes it illegal to discriminate against an employee based on their sex, including pay. This means that an employer cannot pay a female worker less than a male worker performing the same job with similar qualifications, experience, and abilities. It also means that employers cannot give unequal wages based on someone’s gender. If an employer violates the California Equal Pay Act, the employee has the right to file a complaint with the California Department of Industrial Relations. The Department of Industrial Relations will conduct an investigation to determine if the employer violated the law and take enforcement action if necessary. The California Equal Pay Act also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who complain about unequal pay. Employers are not allowed to fire, demote, or take any similar disciplinary action against an employee for complaining about unfair pay. Overall, the California Equal Pay Act ensures that employees are not discriminated against based on their sex. It ensures that all employees are paid the same for work of a comparable character, regardless of their gender.

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