NC H831

Prohibits employers with more than five employees from paying workers different wages based on gender for the same work at the same establishment, requiring equal pay for equal quantity and quality of work in the same job classification.

Permits wage variations based on seniority, length of service, skill, ability, shift/time of day worked, hours of work, lifting restrictions, or other reasonable non-gender factors applied in good faith.

Prohibits employers from reducing any employee's pay to achieve compliance with the Act and bars retaliation against employees who file complaints or participate in investigations.

Allows affected employees to file complaints with the Department of Labor for investigation and to pursue civil actions for unpaid wages, including costs and attorneys' fees, within two years of discovering the violation without exhausting administrative remedies first.

Becomes effective upon enactment.