What is pay equity?

Pay equity is a person's right to receive a wage equal to that of another person in a job of equivalent value in the same company. The wage established for jobs predominantly or traditionally held by women may have been undervalued due to gender discrimination. The purpose of the Pay Equity Act is to correct pay gaps caused by this type of discrimination within a company.

The Act applies to companies with an average of 10 or more workers. It covers unionized or non-unionized employees, regardless of their employment status (full time, part time, permanent, temporary, seasonal, etc.).

What are female or male job categories?

A female job category is predominantly or traditionally held by women, such as secretary, receptionist, cashier or nurse.

A male job category is predominantly or traditionally held by men, such as mechanic, janitor, delivery driver or grocery clerk.

Pay equality and pay equity: 2 very different concepts

Pay equality requires equal pay for equal work. When 2 people have the same job, the same number of years of seniority and equal performance, they must receive the same pay.

Pay equity goes further. It requires that people in female jobs receive wages equal to those of people in male jobs of equivalent value within a company. For example, an administrative assistant's job (female job) could have the same value as a machinist's job (male job) in a factory. The remuneration offered should be the same for both jobs.