Final answer:
The law requiring equal pay for equal work in the United States is the Equal Pay Act of 1963. It aims to eliminate gender-based wage disparities but, despite this act, evidence still indicates a persistent wage gap. The act abides by the principle of comparable worth and embodies the doctrine that gender should not determine compensation when skills and responsibilities are equivalent.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the United States, the law which requires male and female employees to be paid the same if they perform equal work is known as the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA). This piece of legislation was a significant step towards reducing the wage gap between men and women by mandating equal pay for jobs requiring the same level of skill, effort, and responsibility under similar working conditions. Despite the EPA, the wage gap persists, with studies indicating women earn less than men even when accounting for education, career, and life choices, implying that gender discrimination in pay still exists.
According to the doctrine of comparable worth, it is essential to compensate employees equally for work that requires comparable skills, responsibilities, and effort. This principle supports the need for equal pay even when the jobs are different but demand similar levels of accountability and knowledge.
While the Equal Pay Act has reduced the gender wage gap to some extent, continued effort is necessary to achieve true wage equality. Proponents of economic equality argue that further government action is needed to ensure that men and women are paid equally, as guided by the principle that "Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction."