Which act requires equal pay for men and women performing similar jobs?

The Equal Pay Act is a crucial piece of legislation that mandates equal pay for men and women who perform jobs that require substantially equal skill, effort, and responsibility under similar working conditions. This act is particularly significant in addressing wage disparities based on gender, ensuring that women receive the same compensation as men for comparable work, thus promoting fairness and equity in the workplace.

The primary focus of the Equal Pay Act is to eliminate wage discrimination and encourages employers to evaluate their pay structures. It provides workers with the right to take legal action if they find that they are being compensated inequitably. This is especially relevant in discussions about gender equality and workplace rights, as wage disparities continue to exist in many industries.

While the Fair Labor Standards Act deals with minimum wage and overtime regulations, it does not specifically address gender pay equity. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act protects individuals from discrimination based on age, and the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, but neither directly pertains to equal pay for equal work based on gender. Therefore, the focus of the question aligns specifically with the provisions outlined in the Equal Pay Act.