Final answer:
The case of County of Washington v. Gunther was pivotal for the concept of comparable worth, addressing gender-based wage discrimination in the workplace, reinforcing equal pay for work of comparable value.
Step-by-step explanation:
The case of County of Washington v. Gunther was a pivotal case for comparable worth. Comparable worth, also known as pay equity, is a principle stating that individuals should receive equal pay for work of equal or comparable value, not just for identical work. This concept challenges the idea of significant wage differences for jobs that may be different but still have comparable skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions, which often results in gender wage gaps.
In the County of Washington v. Gunther, the Supreme Court addressed a claim of wage discrimination based on gender under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The female prison guards claimed they were paid less than male guards even though their duties were substantially similar, which constituted discrimination. This case did not directly relate to broadbanding, grade definition, board oversight, or job evaluation.