American singer-songwriter and rock icon Stevie Nicks believes the fight against sexual misconduct and gender inequality is going to require determination in order to bring about a societal revolution. Nicks explained, “Everybody needs to not let this be a kind of big wave and just go away and say, ‘Oh well, you know, it’s over and nobody cares anymore.’” The Queen of Rock and Roll added, “Everybody has to keep really fighting because otherwise women, we will be swept under the carpet yet again and it will just start over.”
Nicks’ Personal Experience As a Woman
Nicks is also a member of the rock band Fleetwood Mac, which she joined in 1975. Nicks explained how she and fellow bandmate, Christine McVie, did not experience significant sexual harassment during of their impressive and lengthy careers.
“I think I’ve been very lucky. And maybe it’s because when I joined Fleetwood Mac, Christine and I made a pact. We said we will never ever be treated like a second-class citizen amongst our peers as we get more famous and more famous — and if we’re in a room with famous rock n’ roll stars that are men and they treat us that way, we will scream at them and then we’ll walk out.”
Nicks also discussed the fight for equal pay, pay disparities between men and women in entertainment and other industries. Nicks is an advocate for equal pay and explained, “Fleetwood Mac has two women and we all get paid the same. And if we didn’t, Christine and I would be walking out the door.”
While each instance of unequal pay requires individual analysis by an employment attorney, there are many protections under federal law, state law, and city law—for employees in certain US cities, such as New York City.
Equal Pay For Equal Work Under Federal Law
Under federal law, the Equal Pay Act, requires employers to pay men and women equally for doing the same work. The Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963 as an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act and can be found at 29 U.S.C. § 206. Successful claims under the Equal Pay Act, generally involve facts where an employee is 1) working in the same place, 2) doing equal work, and 3) receiving unequal pay.
Who is covered under the Equal Pay Act? Well, essentially all workers are covered by the Equal Pay Act, both women and men, and regulates the conduct of state, local, and federal governments and most private employers.
Although the Equal Pay Act protects both women and men from sex discrimination in pay rates, the intent of the legislation was to rectify the wage disparity for women workers. In practice, this law is almost always applied to situations where women are paid less than men for doing similar jobs. And equal pay for women, especially minority women remains a setback for many, even 50 years after the law was enacted.
Equal Pay For Equal Work Under NY Law
Under New York state law, workers are protected under the Achieve Equal Pay Act. This New York state Act essentially provides the same protections found under the federal law, but is more employee-friendly than the federal Equal Pay Act.
Moreover, the Achieve Equal Pay Act empowers females by making it unlawful for employers to prohibit employees from discussing their wages or the wages of other employees, provides anti-retaliation protection for employees, and carries extreme penalties for any lawbreakers.
All women rights in the workplace, especially the right to demand equal pay for equal work! The skilled New York City sexual harassment and discrimination attorneys at the Derek Smith Law Group, PLLC, have years of experience litigating claims of gender discrimination and sexual harassment. Working with our Philadelphia discrimination and sexual harassment attorneys, we have recovered millions on behalf of our clients who have experienced sexual harassment discrimination. If you believe that you have been treated unfairly, do not hesitate to give our office a call, toll-free, at (800) 807-2209. for your free consultation.
