Minnesota 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.

Minnesota Jury Instruction — 1.6.1 Equal Pay Act 29 USC Sect. 206 General Instruction: The Minnesota Jury Instruction — 1.6.1 Equal Pay Act 29 USC Sect. 206 General Instruction is a comprehensive guideline provided to jury members in Minnesota courts regarding the Equal Pay Act of the United States, specifically Section 206 under Title 29 of the United States Code (USC). This instruction aims to educate the jury on the requirements and principles established by the Equal Pay Act in order to accurately assess and decide upon cases related to pay discrimination. The Equal Pay Act, as encapsulated in 29 USC Sect. 206, prohibits gender-based wage discrimination by ensuring that men and women receive equal pay for equal work performed under similar working conditions. It mandates employers to provide equal compensation to employees of different genders who perform substantially similar duties requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility. This instruction assists the jury in understanding the key elements and standards required to establish a violation of the Equal Pay Act. Some essential aspects covered in the Minnesota Jury Instruction — 1.6.1 Equal Pay Act 29 USC Sect. 206 General Instruction include: 1. Elements of a violation: The instruction outlines the key elements that must be proven to establish a violation of the Equal Pay Act, such as demonstrating that the plaintiff is a member of a protected class, performing substantially similar work as employees from the opposite sex, in jobs that require equal skill, effort, and responsibility. 2. Prohibited forms of discrimination: The instruction highlights the various forms of unjust pay disparities that the Equal Pay Act aims to eliminate, irrespective of job titles or positions held by employees. It explains that differences in pay due to gender are unlawful unless they can be justified by factors other than sex, such as seniority, merit-based systems, quantity, or quality of production. 3. Burden of proof: The instruction clarifies the allocation of burden of proof between the parties involved in the case. It explains that the plaintiff has the initial burden to establish a prima facie case of pay discrimination, shifting the burden to the defendant to provide a legitimate reason for the pay differential. The plaintiff must then prove that the defendant's justification is merely a pretext for discrimination. 4. Calculating damages: The instruction outlines the factors to be considered while calculating damages in a successful Equal Pay Act claim. It explains that the plaintiff may be entitled to recover the amount of the wage differential, liquidated damages (in some cases), reasonable attorney fees, and other costs incurred. Different types/variations of the Minnesota Jury Instruction — 1.6.1 Equal Pay Act 29 USC Sect. 206 General Instruction may not exist as it primarily serves as an overarching guideline for jury members in understanding the Equal Pay Act. However, minor adaptations may be possible depending on the specific circumstances, factual evidence, and legal arguments presented during a trial.