Debra Katz Weighs in on 9th Circuit’s Recent Equal Pay Act Decision

Katz Banks Kumin partner Debra Katz was quoted in a Law360 article entitled, “9th Circ. Ruling Deepens Debate Over Equal Pay Act,” which discusses the Ninth Circuit’s recent ruling on the Equal Pay Act.  Equal pay advocates have argued that, by allowing employers to show “business reasons” for pay disparity alongside salary history, the court decision effectively perpetuates the systemic pay gap between men and women. Commenting on the case, Ms. Katz noted that requiring the district court to weigh the school district’s stated business reasons is “no protection at all” for women. “This decision really highlights the need to have legislative intervention to strengthen the Equal Pay Act, because without that, you’re just allowing employers to pay women less with impunity and perpetuate pay disparity,” Ms. Katz said. The full story is available here with subscription.