What does the Equal Pay Act prohibit?

The Equal Pay Act specifically addresses wage discrimination based on gender, making it illegal for employers to pay employees of one gender less than they pay employees of another gender for performing jobs that require equal skill, effort, and responsibility. This law emphasizes the importance of providing equal compensation for equal work, ensuring that individuals are not disadvantaged in their earnings due to their gender.

The focus of the Equal Pay Act is solely on pay equity, which is why wage discrimination as described is the core principle of this legislation. Other aspects of employment such as hiring practices, employee testing, and promotions fall under different laws and regulations designed to tackle those specific issues, rather than the wage discrimination focus of the Equal Pay Act.