The bill amends the existing wage and fringe benefits regulation law by adding a new section, 13b, which prohibits employers from paying different wage rates to employees performing equal work based on protected attributes or characteristics. This includes factors such as religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, height, weight, marital status, and other attributes protected under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. However, the bill allows for wage differences if they are based on seniority systems, merit systems, production quality or quantity, or other non-protected factors.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that employers found in violation of this wage equality provision cannot reduce the wages of any employee to comply with the new requirements. Furthermore, it repeals Section 13 of the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act, which may have previously addressed similar wage-related issues. This legislative change aims to enhance wage equity and protect employees from discrimination in compensation based on their personal characteristics.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 408.471, 408.490, 408.943