The California Chamber of Commerce this week signed California’s Equal Pay Pledge, underscoring its commitment to and endorsement of efforts to close the gender pay gap.
CalChamber President and CEO Jennifer Barrera stressed the critical importance of pay equity in a May 2 statement:
“Equal pay is not only the law in California, it is the right thing to do. Additionally, studies underscore the fact that gender-equality practices increase productivity and profitability,” she said. “California’s Equal Pay Pledge promotes best practices for ensuring a culture and environment of fairness and equality in the workplace and encourages training so that companies can implement new policies in a way that best fits their resources and structure.”
Pledge Commitment
Companies that sign the Equal Pay Pledge commit to:
• Conduct an annual internal company-wide gender pay analysis;
• Review hiring and promotion processes and procedures to reduce unconscious bias and structural barriers to equality; and
• Promote equal pay best practices.
The CalChamber’s pledge builds on its support for closing the gender pay gap. The CalChamber supported the 2015 Fair Pay Act authored by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson which requires employers to pay employees, regardless of gender, equal pay for performing substantially similar duties unless the employer can show the pay discrepancies are based on seniority, merit, experience, education, training, or any other bona fide factor. It also allows employees to share compensation information with one another without fear of retaliation.
Free White Paper Available
To help employers better understand their legal obligations, the CalChamber has released a free white paper that outlines pay equity-focused requirements in California with an emphasis on employer compliance issues, tips and best practices.
The California’s Focus on Pay Equity Increases Responsibilities for Employers white paper includes:
• Equal Pay Act basics;
• Salary history restrictions;
• Pay disclosure requirements;
• Pay data reporting for large employers; and
•Tips and best practices for complying with pay equity laws.
To download the free white paper, click here.
CalChamber Webinar
The CalChamber will be presenting a live webinar on May 16 covering legal requirements and best practices for ensuring pay equity and compliance for all workers. On Equal Footing: Best Employer Practices for Pay Equity Laws will feature CalChamber employment law experts leading a broad discussion about:
• The California Fair Pay Act;
• Complying with California’s salary history ban;
• Bona fide factors justifying pay disparity;
• Pay data reporting to the California Civil Rights Department;
• Creating and providing pay scales to employees and applications.
Registration is required to attend and online seats are limited. The webinar is free for CalChamber members and $149 for nonmembers. Members should have received an email with a link for the free registration. Nonmembers may register at the CalChamber Store.
Equal Pay Pledge
Companies wishing to sign the California Equal Pay Pledge are encouraged to visit Take the Equal Pay Pledge Today! CCSWG (ca.gov).
