Equal Pay Act

Equal Pay and Compensation Discrimination Act

The right of employees to be free from discrimination in their compensation is protected under several federal laws, including the following enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

To help employees and employers understand their rights and responsibilities under these laws with regard to compensation discrimination, we have developed a fact sheet about compensation discrimination. A more comprehensive discussion of compensation discrimination can be found in two sections of the Commission's new Compliance Manual:

- Compliance Manual Section on Compensation Discrimination
- Compliance Manual Section on Employee Benefits

Other EEOC resources relevant to equal pay include:

-  Enforcement Guidance on Sex Discrimination in the Compensation of Sports Coaches in Educational Institutions
- The Equal Pay Act
- Procedures - The Equal Pay Act
- Guidelines on discrimination because of sex
- The Equal Pay Act Turns 40

Compensation discrimination also is prohibited by laws enforced by the Department of Labor (DOL). EEOC and DOL recently reached agreements called "Memoranda of Understanding" to enhance and further coordinate enforcement of the federal laws prohibiting compensation discrimination.

- Questions and Answers Regarding EEOC - Department Of Labor Memoranda Of Understanding (April 7, 1999)

- EEOC-ESA Memorandum of Understanding Providing for Cross-Training, Referrals and Information Sharing on Compensation Discrimination Cases (April 7, 1999)

- EEOC-OFCCP Memorandum Of Understanding Governing the Processing of Charges under Title VII and Executive Order 11246 (April 7, 1999)

EEOC Enforcement Activity

EEOC is committed to vigorous enforcement of the equal pay laws. We have compiled charge statistics providing the number of charges filed and resolved alleging compensation as an issue. We have also summarized some of our recent equal pay successes in litigation and the administrative process.

Other Resources

Here are some links to other sources of information about compensation discrimination. Please be aware that, consistent with the EEOC's general disclaimer statement, the EEOC does not control or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this outside information, and references to the sites below are not intended to reflect their importance or an endorsement of any views expressed or products or services offered.

- Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs

                - Equal Pay and the Department of Labor
            - The Chicago Area Partnerships' Report "Pathways and Progress: Best Practices to Ensure Fair Compensation"
            - Best Compensation Practices
            - Analyzing Compensation Data: A Guide to Three Approaches
            - Department of Labor's Women's Bureau
            - Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division
            - Employment Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Dept of Justice