Equal Pay Act of 1963

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (29 U.S.C. § 206(d))

2) Why It Was Done
The Act was passed to address wage disparities between men and women by making it illegal for employers to pay unequal wages for substantially equal work.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) established minimum wage and overtime protections but did not address gender-based wage discrimination. This Act amended the FLSA.

Acts

Pregnancy Discrimination Act

Pregnancy Discrimination Act (1978)

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (42 U.S.C. § 2000e(k))

2) Why It Was Done
The Act was passed to amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to clarify that discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions constitutes unlawful sex discrimination.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
Before the Act, courts often held that pregnancy discrimination was not covered by Title VII. This law explicitly extended protections to ensure women were not forced out of jobs due to pregnancy.