House passes Paycheck Fairness Act

As expected, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Paycheck Fairness Act on July 31, 2008. The new act would help close the gap between women’s and men’s pay differences by “adding some teeth” to the Equal Pay Act of 1963.

If approved, the bill would enhance remedies in cases where women and men are not paid equal wages for doing equal work.

Among other enhancements, the bill would allow women to sue for compensatory and punitive damages in Equal Pay Act cases, require the Department of Labor to strengthen training and outreach efforts that help employers eliminate pay disparities, and create a new grant program to help women develop stronger negotiation skills.

The bill now moves on to the Senate, where we’ll continue watching its progress. Check back for updates on the bill and how it may affect your business.

House passes Paycheck Fairness Act