HLS 15RS-2631 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 169
BY REPRESENTATIVES COX AND BROADWATER
LABOR: Requests the Louisiana Workforce Commission to provide information to
employers and employees regarding gender discrimination by pay disparity
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the Louisiana Workforce Commission to provide information regarding
3 gender discrimination by pay disparity and to make the information available to
4 employers for the purpose of educating employees regarding intentional
5 discrimination laws and on the procedures in place for violations of those laws.
6 WHEREAS, the issue of gender discrimination by pay disparity has been at the
7forefront in recent legislative sessions in Louisiana and around the nation with legislation
8filed to ensure that employees are paid equally for the same work regardless of gender; and
9 WHEREAS, the pay disparity between men and women in the state of Louisiana is
10significant and leads to a higher poverty rate in our state due to the number of households
11led by a single mother; and
12 WHEREAS, R.S. 23:332 prohibits intentionally paying wages to an employee at a
13rate less than that of another employee of the opposite sex for equal work on a job in which
14their performance requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility and which are performed
15under similar working conditions; and
16 WHEREAS, in the event of discrimination, R.S. 23:303 provides for an
17administrative investigation by the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or
18the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights as well as for a civil cause of action with
19penalties when appropriate; and
20 WHEREAS, with proper knowledge and notice, employees within our state can be
21aware of this law and of their rights.
Page 1 of 3 HLS 15RS-2631 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 169
1 WHEREAS, the Louisiana Workforce Commission (commission) is charged by R.S.
223:1 with the administration and enforcement of all labor laws, rules, policies, and
3regulations as well as the responsibility to meet the needs of employees, job-seekers, and
4employers seeking to hire a skilled workforce; and
5 WHEREAS, R.S. 23:15 requires that every employer keep conspicuously posted in
6or about the premises wherein any worker is employed, a printed copy or abstract of those
7labor laws which the executive director of the commission may designate, in a form to be
8furnished by the executive director; and
9 WHEREAS, the commission maintains an internet webpage on which employers can
10view and download the posters mandated by state and federal law; and
11 WHEREAS, although not a mandatory poster, if made available on the webpage, a
12poster containing the laws regarding gender discrimination by pay disparity and the remedies
13for any violations can be viewed by employers when employers visit the commission's web
14page to obtain mandatory posters; and
15 WHEREAS, chambers of commerce serve to promote business interests and
16disseminate information to member businesses; and
17 WHEREAS, a poster made available to chambers of commerce can be distributed
18to member businesses to further ensure that businesses throughout our state are provided
19with information that is important for their protection and for that of their employees; and
20 WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the state's employers and workforce to be
21informed of the prohibition against intentional discrimination in employment by pay
22disparity based on gender.
23 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
24urge and request the Louisiana Workforce Commission to create a poster and make it
25available to employers and chambers of commerce to ably inform employees of their rights
26and the procedures to remedy any violation of those rights regarding gender discrimination
27by pay disparity.
28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the poster be available on the commission's
29webpage so that it is readily available to all employers and employees within the state.
Page 2 of 3 HLS 15RS-2631 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 169
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
2Louisiana Commission on Human Rights and the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 169 Original 2015 Regular Session Cox
Requests the La. Workforce Commission to notify Louisiana employers, chambers of
commerce, and employees of their rights regarding pay discrimination based on gender by
making posters available online.
Page 3 of 3