One of the most discussed topics in labor and employment law is the subject of equal pay for women and men. It is a central focus of the Biden Administration and was highlighted on Equal Pay Day on March 24, 2021, when President Biden stated “my administration is going to fight for equal pay. It’s about justice, it’s about fairness, it’s about living up to our values, who we are as a nation. Equal pay makes all of us stronger.” Besides the obvious focus on striving towards equality, this statement also means that employers need to be prepared for increased compliance scrutiny regarding equal pay during the Biden administration’s time in the White House.
In honor of Equal Pay Day on March 15, 2022, this brief will analyze the background of pay disparity inequities as well as the compliance risks for organizations that do not address the issue. It will also look at the value of pay audits as a means to determine if a problem exists in an organization and how to rectify the issue if necessary.