An analysis of the numbers regarding the continuing issue of pay inequity in our state for women, and a conversation with Lynn Gangone, Dean of Colorado Women's College at the University of Denver.
THE LAW
Under federal law:
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• The Equal Pay Act prohibits sex discrimination in the payment of wages to men and women performing substantially equal work under similar working conditions in the same establishment.
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits those employers with fifteen or more employees from discriminating against employees and job applicants on the basis of race, sex, national origin and other factors. (300 day filing requirement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
• The Family and Medical Leave Act gives eligible employees (those who have worked a year or more for an employer with at least fifty employees within a 75 mile radius) up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave per year for their own or an immediate family member’s serious health condition, for childbirth or adoption.
• The National Labor Relations Act gives non-management employees the legal right to meet with co-workers to discuss job conditions and combat unfair pay practices.
Under Colorado law:
• The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act prohibits similar types of discrimination as federal law for all size employers. (180 day filing requirement with the CCRD; limited remedies)
• The Parental Involvement in Education Act gives employees of large employers limited time off to be involved in their children’s academic school activities.
The Wage Transparency Act allows non-management employees to share wage information with each other, and prohibits employers from having policies that don’t allow employees to talk about their pay.
Resources
What's Your Value?
Because statistics confirm that over her working life, a woman will early $1 milllion less than a man simply because of her gender, THE WAGE PROJECT has developed a “job-worth calculator” where you can compare your wages, responsibilities against other professionals.
Colorado Pay Equity Commission: The mission of the Colorado Pay Equity Commission includes providing education to employers and employees ensuring that employment practices would be gender, race and age neutral; particularly as it relates to compensation. The Commission has developed companion factsheets for employers and employees
Additional Resources
Learning more about salaries and salary negotiations:
www.wageproject.org
www.salary.com
Learning more about federal laws:
www.eeoc.gov
www.dol.gov
www.nlrb.gov
Learning more about Colorado laws: