Designing a Successful Pay Equity Program Pt. I

The events over the last several years propelled public momentum in addressing systemic injustice and social inequity, especially in the workplace. This has cast a bright spotlight on organizations’ diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts – specifically around gender and racial pay gaps.  These issues are not going away. In fact, employers should expect pay…

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California DFEH Sues Activision Blizzard for Systemic Discrimination

Following a two-year investigation, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) sued the entertainment gaming giant, Activision Blizzard for systematic discrimination on July 21, 2021. Included in the extensive complaint filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court are allegations of “frat boy” culture, sexual harassment, unequal pay, retaliation, and gender-based discrimination.  The…

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Pay Equity Implications of FLSA Worker Classification Rule Reversal

Earlier this year the Department of Labor (DOL) moved forward with its proposal to reverse a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) worker classification rule. The final rule, Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, was effectively withdrawn on May 5, before ever taking effect. In the Department’s explanation, it said “the Independent Contractor…

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Illinois SB 1480 Pay Data Reporting Law Gets Amended

The state government of Illinois recently enacted sweeping changes to its equal pay laws. Originally signed into law right before Equal Pay Day 2021, Illinois SB 1480 was amended by SB 1487 on June 25, 2021 to provide greater clarification on how Illinois employers must comply with the new equal pay obligations. There are three…

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New EEOC Chair Proclaims Pay Equity ‘Front and Center’

Everywhere you turn, organizations, individual states, countries all over the world, and federal governments are proclaiming focus to achieve pay equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. The latest to voice the sentiment is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) Charlotte A. Burrows. Burrows was appointed by Biden in January 2021 and is the EEOC’s…

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Canada Pay Equity Act Anticipated to Take Effect This Year

In a landmark effort to ensure that pay equity is both achieved and maintained, the Canadian parliament passed the Pay Equity Act in December of 2018. The Pay Equity Act will create new proactive pay obligations on employers in the public and private sectors. Since 2018, covered organizations have waited for the Act to take…

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Biden Executive Order on DEI Has Serious Implications for Employers

Employers should take note of an Executive Order related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) made by President Biden on his first day in office. While the order applies only to departments and agencies of the Federal Government, it’s likely to have a far-reaching impact on private-sector employers as well. For context, Executive Order 13985…

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DFEH No Longer Accepting Pay Data Reporting Extensions

California SB 973 requires employers to submit pay data information on their workforce by March 31, annually. Did your business meet the deadline? Employers that did not meet the deadline for submitting annual pay data reporting for the 2020 tax year to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) may be able to submit…

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