Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is a federal law that aims to reduce the gender pay gap by making it easier for women to file discrimination claims against their employers. The law is named after Lilly Ledbetter, a former Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company employee who experienced pay discrimination and became a prominent advocate for fair pay. Ledbetter's case, Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, was heard by the Supreme Court of the United States, which ruled in favor of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in a decision that was later criticized by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, David Souter, and John Paul Stevens. The law was supported by American Civil Liberties Union, National Organization for Women, and American Association of University Women.

Introduction

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is a significant piece of legislation that addresses the issue of pay equity in the United States. The law was enacted to counter the effects of the Supreme Court of the United States decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, which limited the time period during which employees could file discrimination claims. The law was championed by Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Ted Kennedy, who worked to pass the legislation through Congress. The law has been praised by National Women's Law Center, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, and Service Employees International Union.

Background

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was inspired by the experiences of Lilly Ledbetter, who worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for nearly 20 years before discovering that she was being paid less than her male colleagues. Ledbetter's case, Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, was heard by the Supreme Court of the United States, which ruled that the statute of limitations for filing a discrimination claim began when the initial discriminatory decision was made, rather than when the employee received a paycheck that reflected the discrimination. This decision was criticized by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, David Souter, and John Paul Stevens, who argued that it would make it more difficult for employees to file discrimination claims. The decision was also opposed by American Bar Association, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Human Rights Campaign.

Provisions of the Act

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act amends Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice occurs each time compensation is paid pursuant to the discriminatory decision or practice. The law also provides that the statute of limitations for filing a discrimination claim begins when the employee receives a paycheck that reflects the discrimination, rather than when the initial discriminatory decision was made. The law has been supported by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Employment Lawyers Association, and American Civil Liberties Union.

Legislative History

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was introduced in Congress in 2007, but it was initially vetoed by George W. Bush. The law was reintroduced in 2009 and passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate with bipartisan support. The law was signed into effect by Barack Obama on January 29, 2009, and it applies to all discrimination claims filed on or after May 28, 2007. The law has been praised by Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Olympia Snowe, who worked to pass the legislation through Congress. The law has also been supported by AFL-CIO, SEIU, and AFSCME.

Impact and Reception

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act has been widely praised by women's rights organizations and civil rights groups, who argue that it will help to reduce the gender pay gap and promote fair pay in the United States. The law has also been supported by business organizations, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business, which argue that it will help to promote fairness and equality in the workplace. However, some conservative groups, such as the Heritage Foundation and the Cato Institute, have criticized the law, arguing that it will lead to an increase in frivolous lawsuits and regulatory burdens on businesses. The law has been praised by Malala Yousafzai, Angela Merkel, and Justin Trudeau, who have advocated for women's rights and fair pay globally. The law has also been supported by United Nations, European Union, and International Labor Organization. Category:United States federal labor legislation