The phrase "equal pay" refers to the concept of paying individuals of the same job category and qualification the same amount, regardless of their gender or other personal characteristics. The spelling of "equal pay" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first sound is /ˈiːkwəl/ ("ee-kwuhl"), which emphasizes the "ee" sound and is followed by "kwuh" and "uhl." The second word, "pay," is a single syllable, pronounced /peɪ/ ("pay") with a long "a" sound.
Equal pay refers to the principle that individuals should receive the same remuneration, compensation, or wages for work that is of equal value, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or any other characteristic unrelated to job performance or qualifications. The concept of equal pay is based upon the belief in fairness and the elimination of discrimination in the workplace.
Equal pay aims to address and rectify the wage gap that persists in many societies, where women and members of marginalized communities often receive lower wages compared to their counterparts performing similar tasks or holding comparable job positions. The principle recognizes that individuals should be compensated based on the quality and quantity of their work, rather than biased factors unrelated to job performance.
Policies and laws regarding equal pay have been implemented in numerous countries across the world, aiming to enforce and promote pay equity. These laws often require employers to provide equal wages to employees performing equal work, regardless of their gender or other protected characteristics. Equal pay legislation seeks to combat systemic discrimination and foster workplace environments that promote fairness, equality, and inclusion.
Efforts to achieve equal pay are ongoing, as organizations and societies strive to eliminate pay disparities and ensure that employees are remunerated equitably for their work, skills, and expertise, regardless of their personal characteristics.
The word "equal pay" is formed by combining the adjective "equal" and the noun "pay".
The term "equal" has its roots in the Latin word "aequalis", meaning "identical" or "equal". It entered the English language during the 14th century, mainly derived from Old French or directly from Latin.
The noun "pay" comes from the Old French word "paie", which originally meant "payment" or "reward". It can be traced back to the Latin word "pacare", meaning "to pacify" or "to satisfy". Over time, "pay" came to specifically refer to the compensation or remuneration given to someone for work or services.
"Equal pay" refers to the principle of providing equal compensation to individuals performing the same job or work, regardless of factors such as gender, race, or other forms of discrimination.