Pay Equity (from the LWV Impact on Issues 2024-2026: A Guide to Public Policy Positions)

The League’s work on pay equity (equal pay for jobs of comparable worth) stemmed from member concern over the feminization of poverty. The League played a key role at the national level through its work with the broad-based National Committee on Pay Equity in the 1980s.

In 1986, LWVEF participated in an amicus brief before the US Supreme Court in the pay equity case Bazemore v. Friday. The Court ruled a state agency may be held liable for disparities in salaries between Black and white employees, even if the disparities were caused by racial discrimination that occurred before the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

State and local Leagues have also endorsed legislative efforts to undertake job evaluation studies, as well as efforts to implement pay equity for public and private employees and prohibit questions about salary history.

Indiana League Action

The Indiana League is a member of the Equality Pays$ Indiana Coalition, which meets virtually throughout the year, with more frequent meetings during the legislative session. The Coalition monitors Indiana legislation and developments on equal pay and also keeps members apprised of upcoming events.