IndexIntroductionHistorySuccess and FailuresSummaryReferencesIntroductionInequality in the workplace has been an important part of every culture. Employees may be treated differently based on their class, gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual identity or religion. Women are more likely to face prejudice than their male counterparts. On a daily basis, women are expected to take on most, if not all, caregiving tasks. This way they are unable to work as hard as their male colleagues. Employees who experience discrimination are typically given fewer opportunities to advance in their position and some may experience a pay gap. In the United States, women tend to earn only 80% of what their male counterparts earn. Many problems in America impact sexism in the workplace. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayHistoryThe United States government has now put in place laws that do not allow discrimination against women in the workplace, but this was not always the case. In the early 1900s, women were expected “not to work outside the home, and those who did were primarily young and unmarried” (Yellen). However, many women's tasks at home were taking care of family affairs and producing goods that they would sell. While some women may participate in the workforce, they would leave after marriage to take care of their responsibilities at home. Most women did not have the necessary education, but if they had obtained it they would have been more likely to be placed in often dangerous and dirty factory jobs. Even though many more women work today, on average “they work fewer hours than men, usually to care for children or other family members” (Benokraitis). Although men and women are no longer as stereotyped as they were in the early 20th century, the effects of those earlier stereotypes still exist. Many efforts have been made to try to end or reduce gender inequality in the workplace. An effort by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission amended the Civil Rights Act to disallow “discrimination against an individual because of gender identity, including transgender status, or because of sexual orientation is discrimination in cause of sex in violation of Title VII.” Thus making discrimination illegal when it comes to promotions, pay, hiring, firing, or anything related to employment. Even with this law in place, there was still inequality because there were no enforceable actions until President Barack Obama enacted the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act which “allows an employee to more easily sue for pay discrimination against pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964." .Success and FailuresIn 1956, Congress passed the Equal Pay Act. As the name of the law suggests, the act was intended to legislate equal pay for equal work. Unfortunately the law did not do what was intended. Most recently the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was passed. This act successfully gave women the right to sue for pay discrimination. Many opponents of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act expected an increase in the number of lawsuits related to the gender pay gap. However, “A review of the number of gender pay discrimination allegations filed with the EEOC over the five-year period