Why Is There Still Such a Large Pay Gap in the United States? By Dan Atkerson on June 28, 2017

Are unpaid internships illegal?The wage gap between men and women in this country has historical implications, and despite many years of equal rights efforts, women are still paid significantly less than men. Furthermore, minority women, specifically black and Hispanic women, make the lowest wages in the country.

A 2016 study conducted by the National Partnership for Women and Families, found that black women in North Carolina make 64 cents to every dollar a white male makes. These pay issues are often systemic, and may not be known by the women being payed unfairly for a long time. In every industry across the country, a woman in the same job as a man with the same qualifications is being paid less. In many cases, this is against the law.

When Is a Pay Gap Illegal?

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has several laws that protect employees from pay discrimination, such as the Equal Pay Act of 1963.
  • Pay below industry standards: If women at your company are being paid less than industry average, you could be experience wage discrimination if men have higher salaries. Finding co-worker pay within your company could be challenging, but a Dallas employment lawyer has the resources to find out if you are being paid less than male counterparts.
  • Lack of promotions: If you notice that qualified women are being passed up for promotions in favor of men who are less qualified, you could be experiencing illegal discrimination in the workplace.
When workers are not being paid enough, it causes problems for the employer and society as a whole. Your employer must follow wage laws, and if you have noticed a culture of repressed wages for women and minority workers, contacting a Dallas wage discrimination attorney can help strengthen your case. Many companies do not attempt to correct pay gap issues until employees speak out and file complaints.

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Dan Atkerson

Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson

Dan A. Atkerson has been protecting the rights of North Texas employees for over nearly four decades. He is affiliated with several prestigious legal organizations, including: 

  • The State Bar of Texas
  • The Dallas Bar Association
  • The United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit
  • Texas Supreme Court and all Texas trial and appellate courts
  • Texas federal courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas

Through aggressive, knowledgeable representation, he has helped clients all over the state reach significant verdicts and settlements. To schedule a consultation at our law firm, request an appointment online or call us at (214) 383-3606.

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