Ledbetter Law Makes Sex Discrimination Suits Worse

Reader Comments
Back to blog

carbon solutions email new extreme thus

clevecotte of CT 12:45PM August 17, 2009

+1

soundtracks of AL 7:11AM July 17, 2009

If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.

soma is this a narcotic of TX 6:22PM July 05, 2009

Unless an employee is willing to 'anonymously' provide a woman with the salaries of men in similar job positions, it will still be virtually impossible for a woman to prove pay disparity. salaries are highly confidential and lawyers will not go on 'fishing' expeditions to find out the truth. women are still at the hands of 'neanderthals' when it comes to fair starting salaries, promotions, etc for women. I say this from experience after having worked in the male dominated field of computer programming for 11 years.

pay disparity still alive and well of SC 3:39PM February 03, 2009

There are many factors that go into wage decisions employers make. Not just the workers plumbing. I work closely with a woman who makes less but performs many of the same functions. I was brought in to be more senior in the department. I have a great deal more experience than her in this field. But in terms of daily functions we basically split the same tasks, although the projects I'm assigned are more involved and require an expertise she doesn't posess. I have no illusions that just about any hack lawyer could easily characterize this as unequal pay for equal work. So what does my employer do? Let her go so they avoid having to increase her salary. Trust me she's not worth as much. Or maybe can me? Maybe cut my pay by 25% so we're equal? WTF? This law sucks and it's gonna cause trouble.

Doug of CA 12:39PM February 03, 2009

There are many factors that go into wage decisions employers make. Not just the workers plumbing. I work closely with a woman who makes less but performs many of the same functions. I was brought in to be more senior in the department. I have a great deal more experience than her in this field. But in terms of daily functions we basically split the same tasks, although the projects I'm assigned are more involved and require an expertise she doesn't posess. I have no illusions that just about any hack lawyer could easily characterize this as unequal pay for equal work. So what does my employer do? Let her go so they avoid having to increase her salary. Trust me she's not worth as much. Or maybe can me? Maybe cut my pay by 25% so we're equal? WTF? This law sucks and it's gonna cause trouble.

Doug of CA 12:39PM February 03, 2009

There are many factors that go into wage decisions employers make. Not just the workers plumbing. I work closely with a woman who makes less but performs many of the same functions. I was brought in to be more senior in the department. I have a great deal more experience than her in this field. But in terms of daily functions we basically split the same tasks, although the projects I'm assigned are more involved and require an expertise she doesn't posess. I have no illusions that just about any hack lawyer could easily characterize this as unequal pay for equal work. So what does my employer do? Let her go so they avoid having to increase her salary. Trust me she's not worth as much. Or maybe can me? Maybe cut my pay by 25% so we're equal? WTF? This law sucks and it's gonna cause trouble.

Doug of CA 12:39PM February 03, 2009

If you are willing to work for the amount of money you are being offered, then the pay IS fair. You are not entitled to a job nor perfect knowledge of other's compensation. Workers must be adults and determine the value of their own time. The employer should not be burdened with documenting what anyone "should" be getting paid. If an employer denies a raise to an employee based on gender, then we already have laws to address that issue.

Haywood J of AL 1:54PM February 02, 2009

Why is this a woman thing. There are plenty of employees, male and female, who are making less than their counterparts doing the same jobs. Bottom line is if you want a raise ask for one. If you dont get what you think you deserve then move on. Isn't this what capitalism is all about. I have not done a scientific study on this but from what I know about the sexes I would say women are much less likely to ask for raises than their male counterparts. Males are naturally more aggressive in all facets of life including asking for raises. If you truly are worthy of a raise most employers will meet your demands. All this law will do is force employers to be careful what positions women are put in for fear of being sued. This law is going to actually be counter-productive to the advancement of women in the workplace. It could set women back a hundred years. Women be ready for clerical only jobs!

bob of OH 9:22PM February 01, 2009

Why is this a woman thing. There are plenty of employees, male and female, who are making less than their counterparts doing the same jobs. Bottom line is if you want a raise ask for one. If you dont get what you think you deserve then move on. Isn't this what capitalism is all about. I have not done a scientific study on this but from what I know about the sexes I would say women are much less likely to ask for raises than their male counterparts. Males are naturally more aggressive in all facets of life including asking for raises. If you truly are worthy of a raise most employers will meet your demands. All this law will do is force employers to be careful what positions women are put in for fear of being sued. This law is going to actually be counter-productive to the advancement of women in the workplace. It could set women back a hundred years. Women be ready for clerical only jobs!

bob of OH 9:22PM February 01, 2009