What is the purpose of the Equal Pay Act?

The purpose of the Equal Pay Act centers specifically on prohibiting pay discrimination based on gender. This federal law, enacted in 1963, mandates that men and women receive equal pay for equal work in the same establishment. The aim is to eliminate wage disparities that exist between genders, emphasizing that employees performing jobs requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility should be compensated equally, regardless of their sex.

While the other options touch on important aspects of labor law, they do not accurately define the core purpose of the Equal Pay Act. For instance, ensuring fair treatment for all employees encompasses a broader range of issues relating to workplace discrimination and rights, while regulation of overtime pay and guaranteeing maternity leave pertain to different legal frameworks altogether. Thus, the most precise identification of the Equal Pay Act's objective is its direct focus on gender pay discrimination.