Receiving a fair and adequate remuneration is, without a doubt, one of the reasons why people wake up to go to work every morning. But what happens when you learn that you are not getting fair compensation for your input? Remuneration becomes a sensitive issue when discrimination enters the picture, and the consequences are usually damaging.
Wage discrimination happens when an employee is compensated less than their co-workers for the same role because of their race, age, gender or nationality of origin. It is important to understand that underpaying an employee based on these, among other characteristics, is a violation of the law. So how do you prove wage discrimination at work? Here are helpful tips
Write it down
Claiming wage discrimination and showing no proof of it will not pay off in any way. It is important that you document your claims of wage discrimination. Has a co-worker confessed their income in your presence? Write it down. It is important that you document and preserve copies of your payment records, pay stubs as well as any other income-related information.
Know your rights
If you have doubts about wage discrimination, you need to find out what the law does say. And this is where the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) comes in. Even if you are not yet ready to file a wage discrimination charge, it is important that you know your rights. Additionally, learn more about California’s equal pay law.
Time to act
If you decide to file a wage discrimination claim, it is crucial to understand that there will be time limits involved. Different time limits may apply with respect to different laws. Nothing demoralizes an employee like wage discrimination. If you feel you are a victim of pay discrimination, it is important that you take appropriate steps to protect your rights.