A 2016 study by the American Association of University Women ranks Ohio 42nd nationally in pay equity. Now two Democratic state lawmakers are proposing the creation of an equal pay hotline they say could help fight wage discrimination. The toll-free number allows workers to anonymously report wage discrimination, and provide information on whether callers could be victims. The bill is unlikely to get far in the Republican-dominated state Legislature. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.
Some House Democrats are pushing a bill that would establish a telephone hotline within the state’s civil rights department where cases of pay inequity could be reported. Representative Janine Boyd says it would not only serve as a place to report incidences of unequal pay but would also help the state collect data.
“An equal pay hotline in Ohio would strengthen our work force and make sure employers could not deny anyone pay by manipulating the rules.”
This isn’t the first time for this bill. It was introduced in the last session of the legislature but didn’t pass. And just like the previous bill, it doesn’t have any Republican sponsors. It would need GOP support to gain traction in this Republican dominated legislature.