While most jobs in our world pay a wage of some magnitude, not all jobs were created equally. As most of us know, the more educated and well-connected you are, the more chances you have of landing a good job. These roles can then be compared against others, to see the superficial pros and cons of each.
In order to determine fairness in the workplace in general, a form of equity needs to be established. Both employees and employers, therefore, should be aware of what pay equity is and how it operates. It is much more than just being able to compensate employees fairly. The following describes what it is, and how important it can be to all parties in the workplace.
1. Pay Equity
As mentioned previously, not all roles in the workforce were created equally. If you look at this a little closer, you will see that even the same roles do not offer fairness to all employees. That is why having a form of pay equity is critical, to ensure a fair, equitable society all around. It can be seen as a fundamental human right, especially in regards to employment standards.
In the most general of senses, pay equity refers to equal pay for work of equal value. To put it simply, those who hold the same position should be compensated equally. Sometimes, that is not always the case, which further necessitates the need to have standards in place. Pay equity is not a new concept, but its implementation is still a work in progress.
2. Classification of Pay Equity
There are a ton of reasons why pay equity is important to establish. One such example has to do with how jobs are classified by individual factors, such as gender. Studies have demonstrated that female workers oftentimes earn less than their male counterparts for doing the same job. For example, female lawyers are a prime example of this sentiment.
In many instances, female lawyers generally do not earn as much as male lawyers, especially when just starting out. Having laws and regulations in place to establish an equitable work environment can lead to a level playing field. Those who work the same role should always earn the same as their counterparts after all!
3. Employment Lawyer
Sometimes, there may be unfortunate situations in which you, as an employee, will be discriminated against. Should this have an effect on your rate of pay, you will need to take the right actions. One of the best steps to take, after you feel it is justified, is to reach out to a lawyer. For the best possible result, contact an employment lawyer like ELT.
These types of lawyers are the best in their craft, when it comes to all matters in the workplace. Whether it is a dispute in a contract, or your rate of pay not being equitable to others, you can receive support. Be sure to always look around, in terms of finding the right lawyer’s services. That way, you can build a rapport, and then go on to win your case!
4. Discriminatory Wage Gap Factors
It is also much more, when it comes to undervaluing specific individuals in the work environment. While gender does play a large role, many other areas work in conjunction to perpetuate a wage gap. As a result, it is important for employers to take this into account, when hiring employees.
For instance, education levels play a huge role in determining how an individual will be compensated. This can then be used against them, to justify the established wage gap. To counteract this, pay equity needs to be implemented, to ensure a just level of compensation. Discrimination should never play a role in underpaying staff!
5. Key Differences
Many individuals in the workforce will oftentimes conflate pay equity with other, similar terms. It is, however, important to not get caught up in this, as it can cause confusion all around. To keep it simple for employees and employers, pay equity is not about equal pay for equal work. This sentiment refers to something that is completely different.
For example, equal pay ensures workers in the same job are paid fairly. As mentioned previously, pay equity refers to equal pay for work of equal value. Human beings, whether you are an employee or employer, are distinct due to a plethora of reasons. These characteristics should never play a negative factor in your ability to earn money fairly.
6. Pay Equity Act
Depending on where you live, there will be various pieces of legislation that dictate pay equity in the workplace. In the province of Ontario, this comes in the form of the Pay Equity Act. This ensures that employers follow the minimum requirements for implementing equity in compensation.
