Fair pay law in Pennsylvania

Posted 8/21/12

HARRISBURG, PA — On the seventh anniversary of the federal Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act becoming law on January 29, some legislators and advocates say Pennsylvania women need a stronger equal-pay …

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Fair pay law in Pennsylvania

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HARRISBURG, PA — On the seventh anniversary of the federal Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act becoming law on January 29, some legislators and advocates say Pennsylvania women need a stronger equal-pay law.

Legislation to update and strengthen Pennsylvania’s 55-year-old equal pay law has been introduced in the House and Senate by seven Democratic lawmakers.

The bills would narrow the definition of determining factors for pay to education, training or experience, while also lifting the veil of pay secrecy and creating protections that permit employees to inquire about salaries without fear of termination. Current law allows for “any factor other than sex” to be a legitimate justification for disparities in pay.

Rep. Brian Sims said, “Pennsylvania women are paid on average 54 to 83 cents for every dollar a man makes, depending on which county they live in. Equal work deserves equal pay—anything less is unacceptable.”

Rep. Tina Davis said, “Equal pay for equal work must advance from being a slogan to a reality in Pennsylvania. Income equality is a cornerstone of economic opportunity for Pennsylvania families. Pay discrimination is real, and Pennsylvania can ill afford to continue to shortchange women and their families. This needs to be fixed immediately.”

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