Equal Pay Act

I really like my job a lot, but if I learned someone else was being paid more money for doing exactly what I was doing, I'd be more than a little peeved. Of course if the other person had more experience than I do, or if he had worked for the employer longer, I would understand the reason for the higher rate of pay. If, however, my co-worker was getting paid more only because of his gender, I ... well, let's just say I'd have to take it up with someone. Years ago, it was routine to pay a man more money to do the same job as a woman, even if the woman had more experience or seniority. In 1963, the Equal Pay Act was passed and made it unlawful for an employer to pay a man and a woman unequally simply because of gender and (cue the music) everyone lived happily ever after (abruptly stop the music) ... unfortunately not everyone. Some employers don't obey the Equal Pay Act as evidenced by the fact that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission receives many complaints about wage discrimination every year. Read Equal Pay for Equal Work to learn about the Equal Pay Act of 1963.