The Maryland Equal Pay — Administration and Enforcement Checklist is a comprehensive tool designed to assist employers and employees in understanding and complying with the state's equal pay laws. This checklist outlines the necessary steps and requirements that employers must follow to ensure equal pay for equal work. The Maryland Equal Pay — Administration and Enforcement Checklist includes various key elements that both employers and employees should be aware of. These include: 1. Job evaluation: Employers should use a systematic and objective job evaluation process to determine the value of each job within the organization. This helps ensure that employees performing similar work are compensated equally. 2. Pay determination: Employers need to establish a clear and transparent pay scale or salary structure based on job evaluations. This ensures that pay disparities based on gender or other protected characteristics are not present. 3. Pay differentials: If pay differences exist between employees performing similar work, employers must be able to justify them based on factors such as seniority, merit, quantity or quality of work, or any other factor not related to gender. 4. Pay secrecy: Employers must not prohibit or restrict employees from discussing their wages or inquiring about the wages of others, as this can prevent the identification of pay disparities. 5. Proactive analysis: Employers are encouraged to conduct periodic internal pay equity analyses to identify and address any potential pay disparities based on gender or other protected characteristics. 6. Record-keeping: Employers must maintain records related to job evaluations, pay structures, pay differentials, and other relevant documentation to demonstrate compliance with equal pay laws. 7. Complaint procedures: Employers should establish a clear and effective process for handling complaints related to unequal pay, which includes prompt investigation and appropriate remedial actions. It's important to note that the Maryland Equal Pay — Administration and Enforcement Checklist may have specific variations depending on the context or industry. For example, there might be additional requirements for federal contractors or specific guidelines for the public sector. Employers and employees must familiarize themselves with the specific Maryland laws and regulations governing equal pay to ensure compliance and fairness in the workplace. By following the guidelines outlined in the checklist, employers can strive to eliminate pay disparities and promote a more equitable work environment for all employees.