What is the unequal pay between men and women?

Unequal pay between men and women in Tennessee is a violation of state labor laws. In Tennessee, employers are prohibited from paying workers of different genders different wages for the same work. The state law requires employers to pay men and women the same wage rate for work that is substantially similar in nature, and requires that the wage difference between men and women must be based on factors other than gender, such as experience and qualifications. Employers who violate the state’s equal pay laws can be held liable for damages, including back-pay, front-pay, attorneys’ fees, and punitive damages. Additionally, the Tennessee Human Rights Act prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of gender. This law also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report or oppose unequal pay practices. Unequal pay practices disproportionately hurt women. A survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2018 found that women in Tennessee, on average, make $0.79 for every dollar earned by men. This gap increases when race and ethnicity are accounted for, with Latina women earning $0.53 for every dollar earned by white men. Federal and state labor laws, such as the Equal Pay Act and Tennessee’s Human Rights Act, exist to protect employees from such discrimination. Employers should be aware of their obligations under these laws, and workers should be aware of their rights to equal pay for equal work.

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What is the unequal pay between men and women?

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