DEBATE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

DEBATE - Essay Example Tyson 42) Accordingly, the studies do not control do not control for legitimate differences in compensation since qualifications, seniority, merit and business activity related factors are linked to the pay gap between men and women. According to estimates, there is no appreciable difference in men and women’s pay since ‘legitimate’ differences account for the insignificant pay gap. The federal law requires employers to prevent discrimination in their employment activities and provide healthy and safe working environment. For instance, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act 1967 provides for equal opportunities for the minority groups while the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigates instances of unequal treatment or discriminatory practices in employment matters (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, and Wright 66). The Equal Pay Act 1963 requires for equal pay for men and women performing the same jobs while Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 prohibits discrimination of women on the basis of pregnancy (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, and Wright 65). According to 2013 statistics, women were paid 78 percent of what men were paid and all the US states experience pay gaps between men and women (Tyson 41). The worst state was Louisiana where women were paid 66 percent of what men were paid. The pay gap is even worse for minority group women since Hispanic women are paid only 54 percent of what men are paid. The women are paid less in both male and female dominated occupations and pay gap is higher for aged women since women aged more than 35 years receive only 75 to 80 percent of what men are paid (Tyson 63). In this case, HR managers must conduct pay audits in order to remedy the pay differentials while women employees must utilize their negotiation skills to attain fair pay. The federal policy makers should consider enacting new legislation that will curb pay gap (Tyson 65). The opponents of pay gap outline that women have surpassed men in college and university