Michigan Jury Instruction — 1.6.1 Equal Pay Act 29 USC Sect. 206 General Instruction provides crucial guidance to juries in cases involving violations of the Equal Pay Act under Section 206 of Title 29 of the United States Code. This instruction specifically addresses the requirements and legal standards that must be considered when determining whether an employer has committed a violation of the Equal Pay Act in Michigan. Under the Equal Pay Act, employers are prohibited from discriminating based on gender by paying employees of one sex less than employees of the opposite sex for performing equal work. The purpose of this act is to eliminate gender-based pay disparities and promote equal opportunities for both male and female employees in the workplace. The Michigan Jury Instruction — 1.6.1 Equal Pay Act 29 USC Sect. 206 General Instruction outlines the essential elements that the plaintiff must establish in order to prove a violation of the Equal Pay Act. These elements include: 1. Different wages: The plaintiff must demonstrate that the employer paid different wages to employees of the opposite sex. 2. Equal work: The plaintiff must establish that the employees who received different wages performed substantially equal work, considering skill, effort, and responsibility. 3. Work performed at the same establishment: The plaintiff must show that the equal work was performed at the same establishment, meaning the same physical location or geographic area. 4. The difference in wages is based on sex: The plaintiff must prove that the disparity in wages is based on the employees' sex and not on other legitimate factors such as seniority, merit, or quantity or quality of production. Different types of Michigan Jury Instruction — 1.6.1 Equal Pay Act 29 USC Sect. 206 General Instruction may include: 1. Instruction on factors to consider: This type of instruction may provide additional details on the factors that the jury should consider when determining whether the work performed by the employees is substantially equal in terms of skill, effort, and responsibility. 2. Instruction on defenses: Another type of instruction may address the potential defenses that the employer may raise, such as establishing that the wage disparity is based on a seniority system, a merit system, a system measuring quantity or quality of production, or any other factor unrelated to sex. 3. Instruction on damages: There may be an instruction specifically focused on the types of damages that a successful plaintiff may be entitled to, such as back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, and attorney fees. In summary, the Michigan Jury Instruction — 1.6.1 Equal Pay Act 29 USC Sect. 206 General Instruction plays a crucial role in educating juries about the legal requirements and considerations involved in cases related to violations of the Equal Pay Act. By providing clear instructions, it helps ensure fair and just outcomes by guiding the jury through the specific elements that must be proven for a successful claim under the Act.