One of the issues we are talking about in terms of social location is salary. In most categories, the dominant group is statistically more likely to make a hight salary than the subordinate group. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was signed into law earlier this year. Lilly Ledbetter started working at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Alabama in 1979. In 1998 Ledbetter found out that she was being payed significantly less than her male counterparts at the plant. She filed formal charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and sued Goodyear basing her argument on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act of 1963. Ledbetter's case was appealed to the Supreme Court who found in favor of Goodyear. Supreme Court Justice Alito said the court based their decision on the fact that Ledbetter did not file her lawsuit within the 180 day limit. Ledbetter's attorneys argued that the 180 day limit should not apply because financial information about coworkers' salaries was usually hidden from workers and therefore it was difficult to find the information out within 180 days. The legislation that passed the Senate, after having failed earlier, would address this issue.
Read an interview with Ledbetter here.
What is your opinion on this case? Do you think the new legislation will fix the problem? Do you know any women who believe that they have been paid less than their male couterparts?
8 comments:
I think this law will help less paid but equal individuals because companies will be more inclined to obey equal pay becuase it went from 180 days to 2 years. The part that gets me is how they can fire an individual for discussing their pay. Why is it that big of a deal to pay people the same for the same job? I don't personally know anyone who is discriminated against in the workforce as far as pay but I know that if I were Ledbetter I would be just as concerned for my future and retirement plans. The Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is a sign of how distored America is when it comes to "All Men Are Created Equal." Because not all men are created equal, I'm sure other non-white men are getting paid less than some white men of equal or less experience and education. Why are we a free country and pride ourselves on our accomplishments if we are going to knock people down to get there? People are people and should be paid according to what they bring to the job.
I think that this article is a good example of how even though we have come a ways in equality among men and women; we still have so far to go. I think that it is sad that pay can't be freely discussed. It could be a way of helping competition among employees if it could be. I don’t know anyone who has been discriminated against but I’m sure that it’s right in front on my eyes. Since it has been changed from 180 days to 2 years, it should definitely help the less paid who are just as equal in their fight for equality.
It is nice to hear how women, against the odds are ready to stand up and raise their voices against injustice. I think it is high time people or companies realise their responsibility and stop fooling others based on discrimination. I have never met any person who discussed this issue with me, but because of The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, I hope certain rules are incorporated into the system with which companies pay fairly regardless of sex, race or religion. Atleast with the fact that it is not easy to bear the charges once any company is sued, I believe companies will be careful regarding this issue and will think before they carry out any discrimination.
I think if all women everwhere in the united states continue to file these lawsuits than we will have a successful outcome. I believe I have been discriminated against because of my gender. I feel that men don't care about the discrimination that females experience because they don't really realize it. The owners of most of these compaines are men they are unable to rationalize that sexual discrimination is harmful to their women employees. I feel that every women who will work in the workforce or has worked in the workforce all have experienced unequal pay. Even if they hold high positions it's always a man in the company with a higher salary who didn't work as hard as that women either to get that pay.
If i were to be completely honest with myself, I would have to say that no I do not believe a new legislation will completely fix this problem. It would certainly help but until men have complete and utter respect for women who work with and for them, we will never be equal in the true sense of the word. I have read about many women who have been paid less than their male coworkers. I do not know any personally but perhaps many women do not think it is worth their time to even challenge the rights. I think its great Lilly Ledbetter challenged hers.
This article shows how when it comes to women things are always more difficult. They are also very contradictory by having a law that allows you to suit a company if they underpay you but also another law that allow pay rates to be private.So how are you supposed to know if you are underpay or not?. Laws are meant to preserve equality but in most cases if you arent persistent its very like for the big guys to have the money and power to win and be right.
I don't understand why there is a deadline to ask for equal pay. Shouldn't you be able to file suite at anytime during your employment. This just shows that people know there is a unequal distribution of pay going on and they just hope that the women won't find out until it's too late.
I think this act should be passed because women work just as hard as men and all men and women should be paid fairly. Its not fair for a woman to make less than a man because in these time women have become the head of the household.
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