Can 2 employees doing the same job be paid differently?

[an] employer can have two titles with similar duties and the employees can be paid differently,” said Milagros Ocasio, HR director for Jaspan Schlesinger LLP in Garden City, N.Y. … “Favoritism, cronyism and nepotism are not illegal either.

Is it legal for an employer to lower your pay?

In many cases, it is legal for employers to reduce the hours or pay of employees. … Unless you work under a collective bargaining agreement or an employment contract, your employer is generally allowed to cut your hours and pay. However, there are some situations in which reductions in work hours and pay are illegal.

Should people be paid the same for the same job?

People doing the same job or work of equal value should get the same or equal pay; but in many cases they don’t, even though though the law says they should. … You are entitled to the same pay as anyone doing the same or broadly similar job, or a job of equal value, regardless of gender.

Is it illegal to pay people differently for the same job?

Can a company pay different wages for the same job? It is legal for a company to pay different wages for the same or similar job, but only if there are non-discriminatory material factors which explain the reason for the difference.

Can I sue my employer for unequal pay?

The federal Equal Pay Act prohibits gender-based pay gaps among employees who work substantially the same jobs with similar working conditions. … To make a case for pay discrimination, a plaintiff must show his or her work is equal or substantially similar to that of a higher paid employee of the opposite gender.

Is it illegal to pay employees differently for the same job UK?

Share: No it is not, and across England and Wales it is common for workers to do the same basic jobs, but receive a different wage. … You can bring your claim under the Equality Act if you are receiving a different level of pay based on unlawful reasons. In many cases that could be because of your gender.

How do you deal with unequal pay?

Steps to take to address gender inequality
  1. Do your research. Know what others are getting paid in the market similar to your position and save examples that can be used during discussions. …
  2. Bring it to your employer’s attention. …
  3. Don’t play the blame game. …
  4. If needed, escalate the situation. …
  5. Be willing to leave.

How do I report unequal pay?

The Equal Pay Act (EPA) protects both men and women.
…
An aggrieved individual may contact the Civil Rights Center (CRC) at:
  1. Phone: (202) 693-6500;
  2. Federal Relay Service TTY/TDD: (800) 877-8339;
  3. Video Relay (877) 708-5797;
  4. Email: CRC-INFORMAL-COMPLAINTS@DOL.GOV.

How do you prove equal pay discrimination?

In order to prove wage discrimination under the Equal Pay Act, you will be required to show that the job you are working is equal to the job held by a counterpart of the opposite relationship.

What is unequal pay for equal work?

The EPA permits unequal pay for equal work if it is the result of wages being set pursuant to: 1) a seniority system; 2) a merit system; 3) a system which measures earnings by quantity or quality of production; or 4) any factor other than relationship.

What constitutes a violation of the Equal Pay Act?

Failing to Provide Equal Pay for Equal Work

The Equal Pay Act (EPA) requires employers to pay their employees equal pay for equal work, regardless of relationship. … When employees of one relationship are paid less than others who do equal work, this could violate the EPA.

What are the three defenses for paying a different wage?

The three elements required for a prima facie case are: (1) the employer pays different wages to employers of the opposite relationship; (2) the employees perform equal work on jobs requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility, and (3) the jobs are performed under similar work conditions. Corning Glass Works v.

What can companies do to ensure that they provide equal pay for equal work?

Here are five ways you can ensure equal pay on your team:
  • Prevent salary disparities before making new hires. …
  • Review employee compensation on a regular basis. …
  • Separate compensation reviews from performance reviews. …
  • Disclose salary ranges for different positions and levels. …
  • Advocate for your people.

What are some examples of wage discrimination?

Wage discrimination means paying someone less because of their gender, race, age, or religion. Paying an employee less because of a protected characteristic violates the law. For example, paying women less than men for the same work qualifies as wage discrimination.

Why do I get paid less than my colleagues?

There are reasons you might be paid a different salary than your colleague in the next cubicle, and your talent might not be one of them. … Salaries are often negotiated, and factors like education, experience, job performance and skills all can make a difference in what people are paid.

Why is equal pay important?

The Importance of Equal Pay

Equal pay is essential because every worker deserves to have a voice and be properly represented and protected. All modern organizations have the responsibility to ensure that all of their workers are valued and provided with tools and resources to feel secure.

Who passed the Equal Pay Act?

President John F. Kennedy
On June 10, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act, and the law took effect on June 11, 1964 as part of Kennedy’s New Frontier Program. as it was originally proposed in 1923.

Why New hires get paid more?

Pay compression can happen in competitive labor markets. Employers often need to increase pay to hire experienced or in-demand workers when the need for workers outstrips the supply of available talent. At the same time, raises for current staffers may not have kept up.

Should I tell my boss I know my coworker makes more?

Don’t tell your boss you know how much your peers make

That could cause negative repercussions for your coworker. When it comes down to it, your company “may have several different reasons that someone makes more than you do,” Cosic said.

Can employees in same job be classified differently?

Employees with the same job duties may be classified differently if their pay differs based on their experience, according to Jennifer Yelen, an attorney with Posternak Blankstein & Lund in Boston.

How often should employees get a pay raise?

How often should you ask for a raise? If you recently started a job, wait a minimum of six months to ask for a raise. Most employers are more likely to give you a raise if you have been with the company for at least a year or more. If you have been with the company for multiple years, then you can ask once a year.

What to do when you find out you make less than your coworkers?

What to Do When Your Less Qualified Coworker Makes More Money Than You
  1. Don’t Freak Out After Discovering a Coworker Brings Home a Bigger Paycheck.
  2. Maintain the Proper Perspective. …
  3. Remain Calm & Take Stock. …
  4. Do Your Research. …
  5. Ask for a Raise the Right Way. …
  6. Be Ready With Alternatives to Salary. …
  7. Let Salary.com Help You.

Is it legal to discuss your salary with coworkers?

Your right to discuss your salary information with your coworkers is protected by the federal government. According to The New York Times, the National Labor Relations Act states that employers can’t ban the discussion of salary and working conditions among employees.