Ohio Jury Instruction — 1.6.1 Equal Pay Act 29 USC Sect. 206 General Instruction: This jury instruction relates to the Equal Pay Act (EPA) of the United States Code (29 USC Sect. 206) as it applies specifically in Ohio. The EPA is a federal law that prohibits wage discrimination based on gender. This instruction informs the jury about the general principles and requirements of the EPA. The instruction emphasizes the importance of equal pay for equal work, irrespective of gender, and aims to protect employees from wage disparities. It explains that the EPA requires employers to provide equal pay for men and women who perform substantially equal work within the same establishment. The instruction outlines key elements that must be proven to establish a violation of the EPA: 1. Comparison of work: It instructs the jury to determine whether the work performed by the plaintiff (an employee bringing the claim) is substantially equal to that of a male comparator. 2. Skill, effort, and responsibility: The instruction requires the jury to consider whether the work requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility, with consideration given to the levels of experience, education, and training required for the job. 3. Work performed within the same establishment: The instruction clarifies that the comparison should be made between employees working in the same establishment or place of business. The instruction may also include information about different types of Ohio Jury Instruction — 1.6.1 Equal Pay Act 29 USC Sect. 206 General Instructions, which could be tailored to specific situations, such as: 1. Defense's burden of proof: This instruction explains that in certain circumstances, the defendant (the employer) may bear the burden of proving that a pay differential is justified by factors other than gender, such as seniority, merit, or productivity. 2. Damages: Ohio jury instructions could outline the types of damages available to a successful plaintiff in an EPA claim, including back pay, front pay, liquidated damages, attorney fees, and potentially even punitive damages in cases of willful violations. These instructions are designed to guide the jury in understanding the principles and requirements of the EPA, facilitating a fair assessment of the evidence presented and ultimately enabling them to render an informed verdict.