Pay Equity for Women Filling Labor Shortage in Construction Industry
While the country’s construction industry is booming, with around $1 trillion in new projects, 79 percent of construction companies nationwide reported the need to hire more employees to meet the demand.
With high demand and low supply, it is a prime time for women to fill that labor gap. CNBC reported that women make up only 9.1 percent of America’s construction workers. Noticing the opportunity, local governments have launched programs to encourage women to join the construction industry. For example, city officials in Boston approved an ordinance earlier this year aimed at increasing the hiring of local women on construction jobs. Billboards featuring women working on local casino sites went up along the interstate. Casino companies and the state’s Gaming Commission are among the sponsors behind the campaign.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women in the construction industry earn 97 cents (the U.S. average is 80 cents) for every dollar a man earns. While the difference is relatively slight, the federal Equal Pay Act prohibits businesses from paying employees of one gender less than the other for equal work. The law allows exceptions for wages determined by a merit or seniority system, a system that bases pay on the quantity or quality of work, or “a differential based on any other factor than sex.”
Please contact Jackson Lewis with any questions about pay policies and analyses.
© Jackson Lewis P.C. This material is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute legal advice nor does it create a client-lawyer relationship between Jackson Lewis and any recipient. Recipients should consult with counsel before taking any actions based on the information contained within this material. This material may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Focused on labor and employment law since 1958, Jackson Lewis P.C.'s 950+ attorneys located in major cities nationwide consistently identify and respond to new ways workplace law intersects business. We help employers develop proactive strategies, strong policies and business-oriented solutions to cultivate high-functioning workforces that are engaged, stable and diverse, and share our clients' goals to emphasize inclusivity and respect for the contribution of every employee. For more information, visit https://www.jacksonlewis.com.