Orange County Unequal Pay Lawyer
Are you tired of working hard but not receiving the pay you deserve? Have you been struggling to make ends meet because of unequal wages in your workplace? If you’re nodding your head in agreement, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, unequal pay is a prevalent issue in today’s workforce, and it can be frustrating and disheartening to experience it firsthand.
At MJB Law Group, we understand the emotional and financial toll unequal pay can take on an individual and their family. That’s why we’re here to help. Our team of experienced Tustin employment lawyers is dedicated to fighting for the rights of workers like you who have been mistreated.
If you’ve been the victim of unequal pay based on gender, race, or any other protected characteristic, we have the knowledge and resources to hold your employer accountable and pursue the justice you deserve.
What is Unequal Pay?
What is unequal pay? Essentially, unequal pay occurs when employees performing substantially similar work are paid different wages based on gender, race, ethnicity, age, or disability status.
Getting paid less than you deserve can have a devastating effect on your life, your career, and your future. It can result in a significant loss of income and prevent you from advancing in your career and receiving better benefits. It can even damage your self-esteem and sense of self-worth, further jeopardizing future employment opportunities.
According to a 2020 National Women’s Law Center report, women in California earn only 88 cents for every dollar men earn. This means they lose out on $7,200 every year because of unequal pay. It gets even worse if you’re a mother. In California, mothers only make 62 cents for every dollar men earn.
Women of color in California face even larger wage gaps. According to the report, Black women earn just 64 cents, while Latina women earn only 54 cents for every dollar earned by non-Hispanic white men. Native American women earn the least, just 51 cents.
What is the California Fair Pay Act?
Governor Brown signed the California Fair Pay Act (SB 358) into law on October 6, 2015, and it became effective on January 1, 2016. This Act offers crucial safeguards for employees in California, including equal pay for workers who perform “substantially similar work” based on skill, effort, and responsibility, without any requirement that they work at the same establishment.
Retaliation against employees who enforce the law is illegal, and workers are allowed to discuss and inquire about their colleagues’ salaries. If you do ask how much others at your company make, your employer cannot refuse you this information. Additionally, employers must keep wage and employment records for three years as part of the new legislation.
How Can We Help You Prove Unequal Pay?
Proving unequal pay can be a complex and challenging process. When you hire MJB Law Group, our employment lawyers will go to work to prove your unequal pay claim.
To do this, we must prove two main elements:
- That you and your colleagues are paid differently
- That you perform substantially similar work
How do we prove unequal pay? First, we start by collecting and comparing the differences in pay between you and your colleagues. We examine pay stubs, tax records, and other documents that clearly show the pay differences.
Once we determine that there is unequal pay, we must determine if you and your colleagues perform substantially similar work. If your co-workers have different job responsibilities, your employer will highlight this in response to your claim.
We must examine your job duties, job descriptions, and other relevant documents to prove that you perform the same work as your colleagues. We will then need to review your performance records to show that you and your other coworkers perform equally on the job.
If you and your coworker both have the same job and perform the same duties but are paid differently, we can then file an unequal pay lawsuit against your employer. If your employer paid you unfairly by engaging in discriminatory practices, we can hold them accountable. You should not be paid less than you deserve and certainly not less than others performing the same work simply because of your race, gender, or sexual orientation.
At MJB Law Group, our experienced employment lawyers can help you to build a strong case for unequal pay and take legal action to recover the compensation you deserve. We can collect and analyze pay data, identify discriminatory practices, and seek expert testimony to support your claim.
Contact our Tustin Unequal Pay Lawyers Today
We won’t let your employer get away with paying you too little. You deserve a fair wage, and our law firm knows how to fight for justice in the workplace. A skilled employment lawyer at MJB Law Group can help you hold your employer accountable for the unequal pay you’ve received all these years.
Don’t wait! Contact us for a FREE case evaluation and consultation to discuss your legal options. Call us today at (949) 266-0880 or fill out our confidential contact form.
