Definitions

PAY EQUITY

Pay Equity is equal pay for work of equal value.

The Pay Equity Act requires employers to pay female jobs at least the same as male jobs if they are of comparable value.  Pay equity compares jobs usually done by women with different jobs usually done by men. Female jobs are mostly or traditionally done by women such as librarian, childcare worker or secretary. Male jobs are mostly or traditionally done by men, such as truck driver, firefighter, or shipping clerk.

​The value of jobs is based on the levels of skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions involved in doing the work.​​​

EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK

Equal Pay for Equal Work addresses situations in which men and women do the same work.

The Equal Pay provisions of the Employment Standards Act require that men and women receive equal pay when doing the same job or substantially the same job such as two cooks or two machine operators on the same line.

​Substantially the same work means the same kind of work that involves about the same levels of skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions. The duties do not have to be exactly the same to be substantially the same.​​​

Definitions

PAY EQUITY

Pay equity compares the value and pay of different jobs, such as nurse and electrician.

Only people (both men and women) in jobs done traditionally by women can complain that their work is undervalued.​

EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK

​Equal pay compares the pay of similar jobs.

Either men or women can complain. If a male incumbent is paid less than a female incumbent in the same job, he can file a complaint. As well, a woman can complain if she is paid less than a man in the same job.​

Clarifying Questions

PAY EQUITY

If you answer “yes” to the following questions you may have a pay equity complaint.

  • Are you in a job that is typically or traditionally female such as secretary, nurse, payroll clerk?
  • Are you comparing your job to different jobs, jobs that are mostly or traditionally done by men, within the same employer?

Call the Pay Equity Office
1-800-387-8813
416-314-1896
TTY: 416-212-3991
TTY: 1-855-253-8333​

EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK

​​​If you answer “yes” to the following questions you may have an equal pay for equal work complaint.

  • Are you comparing your work and pay to someone doing your own or a very similar job?
  • Are you comparing your work and pay to a person of the opposite gender?

Call the Employment Standards Branch at
1-800-531-5551
416-326-7160
Or visit their site​.​