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Most individuals of good will subscribe to some form of the notion that there should be "equal pay for equal work." However, most pay scales for government workers (e.g., those for public school teachers) reward additional years of experience without regard to the quality of a teacher's work. (a) Is this economically efficient? Argue for or against. (b) What if this way of paying teachers results in the average woman teacher earning more than the average male teacher (or vice-versa)? Should this be legal? Why or why not?

User Keithics
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Final answer:

Efficiency wage theory suggests that paying employees more than market conditions dictate can increase productivity and motivation. However, paying based solely on years of experience without considering the quality of work may lead to inefficiencies. Equal pay for equal work should be upheld, regardless of gender, but other factors like experience should also be taken into account to ensure fairness.

Step-by-step explanation:

In regard to the question of whether paying government workers additional wages based on years of experience without regard to the quality of work is economically efficient, we can look at the concept of efficiency wage theory. According to this theory, paying employees more than market conditions dictate can increase their productivity and motivation. By avoiding wage cuts and the costs of hiring and training new employees, employers can benefit from well-motivated workers. However, this approach does not consider the quality of work, which may create inefficiencies.

Regarding the issue of equal pay for male and female teachers, it is important to consider the concept of equal pay for equal work. If male and female teachers are performing the same job requiring the same level of accountability, knowledge, skills, and working conditions, then they should be paid equally, regardless of gender. However, if this results in the average woman teacher earning more than the average male teacher (or vice versa) due to other factors such as additional years of experience, this may raise questions about the fairness and legality of the pay scale.

User Ilya Sazonov
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