Equal Pay Act vs. Paycheck Fairness Act
Reintroduced for the 18th time in 16 years this past January, the Paycheck Fairness Act, if passed, will close some major loopholes in the Equal Pay Act of 1963, according to the American Association of University Women's Lisa Maatz, Vice President of Government Relations. Don't miss our June feature Level the Paying Field, in which MC investigates pay parity for women and talks to five powerful female celebrities about the unequal pay.
EQUAL PAY ACT
Acceptable reasons to paying women less than men: Seniority, merit, productivity — but managers can give vague reasons, like personality, to hide gender discrimination.
Damages a plaintiff suing under the law is allowed: Retroactive pay for only the two previous years. No punitive damages, so no real deterrent for employers.
Disclosing your salary with fellow workers: Not protected. Currently, about 50 percent of private companies will fire you for doing so.
PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT
Acceptable reasons to paying women less than men: Seniority, merit, productivity — or a legitimate business reason, like having fewer credentials than a male colleague.
Damages a plaintiff suing under the law is allowed: Compensatory pay for two previous years (can include medical expenses or retirement benefits). Punitive damages allowed.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Disclosing your salary with fellow workers: Allows you to share salary and ask about pay policies, thus creating transparency.
Dedicated to women of power, purpose, and style, Marie Claire is committed to celebrating the richness and scope of women's lives. Reaching millions of women every month, Marie Claire is an internationally recognized destination for celebrity news, fashion trends, beauty recommendations, and renowned investigative packages.
-
Taylor Swift Fans Are Melting Down Trying to Decipher a Hand Gesture She Made at the Latest Eras Tour Stop
"I mean she wouldn’t just countdown to the last show cause it’s the last show…right? Something special has to happen………. right???"
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Miley Cyrus Says It Was Her Mom's Idea to Have Her Pole Dance During 2009 Teen Choice Awards at 16
"When I got in trouble the next day, you know who was nowhere to be found? Tish Cyrus."
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Kate Middleton Has a Huge Decision to Make About Prince George’s Future
The Prince and Princess of Wales have reportedly clashed about where to send their oldest son, Prince George, to school.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Confronting Unequal Pay: A 10-Step Guide for Women—and Their Allies—to Fight Wage Discrimination
Black Women’s Equal Pay Day is not a celebration. My hope is that if we all continue to ask for what we want, we chip away at that wage gap, one Black woman—and ally—at a time.
By Minda Harts Published
-
Peloton’s Selena Samuela on Turning Tragedy Into Strength
Before becoming a powerhouse cycling instructor, Selena Samuela was an immigrant trying to adjust to new environments and new versions of herself.
By Emily Tisch Sussman Published
-
Give Mom What She Really Wants This Year: Equal Pay
Moms have faced some of the biggest setbacks since the pandemic started. So this year, don’t just say it with flowers—say it with phone calls to your Senators and your HR department.
By Elizabeth Barajas-Román Published
-
This Mutual Fund Firm Is Helping to Create a More Sustainable Future
Amy Domini and her firm, Domini Impact Investments LLC, are inspiring a greater and greener world—one investor at a time.
By Sponsored Published
-
Power Players Build on Success
"The New Normal" left some brands stronger than ever. We asked then what lies ahead.
By Maria Ricapito Published
-
Don't Stress! You Can Get in Good Shape Money-wise
Yes, maybe you eat paleo and have mastered crow pose, but do you practice financial wellness?
By Sallie Krawcheck Published
-
The Book Club Revolution
Lots of women are voracious readers. Other women are capitalizing on that.
By Lily Herman Published
-
The Future of Women and Work
The pandemic has completely upended how we do our jobs. This is Marie Claire's guide to navigating your career in a COVID-19 world.
By Megan DiTrolio Published