What are the key factors used to determine whether jobs are "substantially equal" under the Act?

Under the EPA, jobs don’t need to be identical but must be substantially equal in terms of four key factors:

1. Skill:
   Refers to the experience, training, education, and ability required to perform the job. For example, two machinists performing the same tasks using the same tools would be considered to have substantially equal skill levels, regardless of their gender.
   
   
2. Effort:
   The physical or mental exertion needed to perform the job. If two employees handle similar workloads, even if their job titles differ, their jobs may require equal effort.
   
   
3. Responsibility:
   This involves the level of accountability or decision-making required. For example, two employees managing teams of equal size and complexity would likely have substantially equal responsibility.
   
   

Working Conditions: Includes factors like the physical surroundings (e.g., exposure to hazards or extreme temperatures) and scheduling (e.g., night vs. day shifts). Jobs performed under similar working conditions are considered comparable.