A recent study found that women in California make less pay each year than men, reflecting a nationwide problem of wage disparity. The wage gap is slowly closing, but for workers who receive less pay because of their genders, filing a gender-discrimination lawsuit may be a way to make a difference directly.
Women Paid Less Than Men in California
A study conducted by the National Partnership for Women & Families, in association with the American Association of University Women revealed that, on average, female workers in California earn $8,300 less per year than male workers. To demonstrate the impact of this difference, the researchers' report stated that, if wages were equal, women workers in California would be able to afford:
•· 63 more weeks of food
•· Seven more months of rent
•· Four more months of mortgage and utilities payments
•· Two more years of family health insurance
•· 2,100 more gallons of gas
The wage gap is not only detrimental to female workers; it also hurts children and families. The study revealed that almost 59 percent of working mothers in California contribute more than a quarter of their families' income, and Time magazine reports that 40 percent of American mothers are the primary breadwinners in their families. In California, 25 percent of women-headed households are below the poverty level, the researchers said, and ending wage discrimination would raise everyone's quality of life.
The study did find that the wage gap in California is closing, and the disparity between male and female workers' pay is smaller in the Golden State than the national average. But, paying a worker less solely because of his or her gender is illegal and should not be tolerated.
Gender Discrimination Lawsuits
Federal and California state laws forbid gender discrimination in the workplace, provide processes to report discrimination, and protect workers against retaliation for participating in reports or investigations of gender discrimination. In general, when an employer treats a worker differently because of his or her gender, and that different treatment affects the worker's pay, position, career advancement or employment status, the employer may be committing illegal gender discrimination.
Workers who experience gender discrimination may file complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Because the reporting process can be complicated and strict deadlines apply, the assistance of experienced legal counsel is invaluable when making gender discrimination complaints.
In addition to making complaints, workers who have been discriminated against based on their gender also may be able to file gender-discrimination lawsuits against their employers. Through a lawsuit, a worker may be able to recover monetary damages, get his or her job back, and obtain a court order requiring the employer to prevent future discrimination from occurring. Under the right procedural circumstances, workers who have been discriminated against may be able to pursue their claims together in a class action lawsuit.
If you are paid less than similarly qualified colleagues of the opposite sex or feel you have suffered gender discrimination at work in another way, contact a knowledgeable attorney with experience in gender-discrimination cases. A lawyer can help you file a complaint and discuss any legal claims you may have against your employer.
