What is the main purpose of the Equal Pay Act?

The primary aim of the Equal Pay Act is to ensure that employees receive equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender. This landmark legislation was enacted in 1963 as an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act. It addresses wage disparities and mandates that men and women should be compensated equally for performing the same job under similar working conditions. The focus of the law is specifically on pay equity and eliminates the legal justification for paying different wages based solely on the employee's gender, thereby promoting fairness and equality in the workplace.

Other options do not align with the core purpose of the Equal Pay Act. While workplace harassment, maternity leave, and employee work hours are significant aspects of employment law, they are addressed by different pieces of legislation and regulations. The Equal Pay Act specifically targets wage discrimination, making it clear that the act's intent centers solely on ensuring equal compensation regardless of gender for the same work.