Oklahoma Jury Instruction - 1.6.1 Equal Pay Act 29 USC Sect. 206 General Instruction

• Category: Federal - Jury Instructions - Adverse Employment Action
• State: Multi-State
• Control #: US-11CF-1-6-1
• Format: Word; Rich Text

Description

This form contains sample jury instructions, to be used across the United States. These questions are to be used only as a model, and should be altered to more perfectly fit your own cause of action needs.

Description: Oklahoma Jury Instruction — 1.6.1(Equal Pay Act 29 USC Sect. 206 General Instruction) is a crucial instruction provided to jurors in Oklahoma courts when a case involves a claim under the Equal Pay Act of 1963, specifically Section 206 of Title 29 of the United States Code. This jury instruction gives guidance to jurors on how to properly interpret and apply the law in cases where an employee asserts that they are being discriminated against in terms of wages or compensation based on their gender. The instruction ensures that jurors have a clear understanding of the legal requirements and standards when considering such claims. The Equal Pay Act, incorporated in this instruction, seeks to eliminate gender-based wage discrimination. It mandates equal pay for employees who perform substantially similar work in jobs that require equal skill, effort, and responsibility under similar working conditions. Therefore, the instruction helps juries to assess the existence of wage discrimination and determine appropriate remedies, if applicable. The content covered in Oklahoma Jury Instruction — 1.6.1(Equal Pay Act 29 USC Sect. 206 General Instruction) typically includes various elements. Some potential content elements for this specific jury instruction may include: 1. Explanation of the Equal Pay Act: The instruction provides a thorough overview of the Equal Pay Act and its purpose to prevent wage discrimination based on gender. 2. Legal requirements: It outlines the legal prerequisites for a successful claim under the Act, such as the comparison of job skills, effort, responsibility, and working conditions. 3. Burden of proof: The instruction clarifies the burden of proof that the plaintiff (the employee asserting discrimination) has, and what the plaintiff must establish to succeed in their claim. 4. Defenses: It may detail permissible defenses that the employer can raise, such as demonstrating that the pay disparity is based on factors other than gender, such as seniority, merit, or productivity. 5. Evaluate plaintiff's evidence: The instruction advises jurors on how to evaluate the evidence presented by the plaintiff, including witness testimony, pay records, and job descriptions. 6. Determine comparators: Juries are instructed on how to identify and compare the plaintiff's job position with other similar positions to assess pay differences and potential discrimination. 7. Jury deliberation: The instruction emphasizes the importance of impartial deliberation and collective decision-making based on facts and evidence presented during the trial. It's worth noting that while Oklahoma Jury Instruction — 1.6.1(Equal Pay Act 29 USC Sect. 206 General Instruction) provides a general framework for handling such cases, there may be additional or modified instructions based on the specifics of the case or any unique considerations. Overall, this jury instruction plays a critical role in ensuring a fair trial and providing guidance to jurors regarding the application of the Equal Pay Act in Oklahoma courts.