What is the right to equal pay for equal work?
The right to equal pay for equal work is a basic human right, and is protected in Washington by both state and federal law. This right states that people of different sexes, races, national origins, and other protected classes must be paid the same money when they do the same job. In other words, an employer cannot pay one employee more than another for the same job, regardless of any protected status. At the federal level, the Equal Pay Act of 1963 is the primary law relevant to this right. This law states that all employers must pay equal compensation for equal work, regardless of gender. It also prohibits employers from taking discriminatory steps, such as providing unequal pay for equal work, when determining wages for employees. In addition, Washington state has its own equal pay laws, which supplement the federal Equal Pay Act. The Washington laws provide additional protections, such as prohibiting employers from basing salary differences on factors such as a person’s race or national origin, and requiring employers to post notices in the workplace stating their employees have the right to equal pay. Holding employers accountable for violations of the right to equal pay for equal work is an important part of upholding human rights in Washington. The Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcing this right, and encourage people to file complaints if they feel they are being treated unfairly. Ultimately, Washington’s laws ensure that all people, regardless of their protected class, have the right to equal pay for equal work.
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