Report to the VP of HR

Part One: Read and analyze the scenario below. Write a report to the VP of HR summarizing the case and providing a clear argument that an EEOC act was violated. State which act applies to the case.
Part Two: Prepare an outline of a training session for hiring managers and for the pay and benefits specialists to prevent a repeat of the situation in the scenario.
Case Study
Sarah Green has been an accountant for 12 years. She worked in a small medical practice for two years after earning her BS in Accounting and then chose to work freelance for five years. For the past five years she worked at a large firm, Stokely and Associates, where she brought in more new clients than 92% of her colleagues and received a higher satisfaction score from clients than 90% of her coworkers.

Sarah had to move to a new city to care for her sick mother. This meant finding a new accounting position. She was excited to be hired at the large accounting firm, Parker and Mendez Accounting, LLC, right away. Unfortunately, she learned after 4 months that she was being paid less than her coworkers who had equal or less experience than she did. When she asked the hiring manager about the discrepancy, she was told that the organizations policy is to pay in a range based on previous pay. The hiring manager did admit to being surprised that her previous salary was at the low end of the expected range given her successes and performance reviews, but the policy is there for a reason and making an exception defeats the purpose of the policy.

After researching her industry and old employer, Sarah learned that her previous employer regularly paid women less than men even when the women had more experience or brought in more clients. Her current pay was impacted by this discriminatory practice.

The report to the VP of HR should include two parts:

Part One
A summary of Sarahs case.
Address which of the EEOC acts the previous organization violated.
An explanation of the ethical and legal obligations of the current organization.
A proposed solution for Sarah.
A proposed change in policy for determining starting pay at the current organization.
Part Two
An outline of a training session for all hiring managers and benefits and payroll specialists. Each of these sections should be included and explained briefly but with enough detail that the decision-makers reading the report are fully informed and can approve the training.

Introduction: Provide an overview of the training. Example: Excellence in Interviewing is a two-week online training that introduces the best practices in interviewing.
Scope: State how broad or narrow the focus of the training will be.
Objectives: List what participants will be able to do using To + verb statements. Example: To roleplay an effective phone interview. To write three behavioral interview questions that assess given criteria.
Training Method: Explain the format of the training. Online, face-to-face, blended, asynchronous or in real time or both.
Evaluation using Kirkpatricks Levels: Address each level of Kirkpatricks in detail. Share specific strategy to evaluating the proposed training.
Use this template for composing your responses.

  Report to the VP of HR Part One: Summary and Argument Summary of Sarah's Case Sarah Green, an experienced accountant, was hired at Parker and Mendez Accounting, LLC. After discovering she was being paid less than colleagues with equal or less experience due to her previous lower salary, Sarah realized her pay was impacted by her former employer's discriminatory practice of paying women less than men. EEOC Act Violation The previous organization violated the Equal Pay Act of 1963 by paying women less than men for equal work based on gender. Ethical and Legal Obligations Parker and Mendez Accounting, LLC has ethical and legal obligations to ensure equal pay for equal work regardless of gender, as mandated by the Equal Pay Act. Discriminatory pay practices are not only unethical but also illegal. Proposed Solution for Sarah Sarah should be compensated fairly based on her experience, skills, and performance, regardless of her previous salary. An adjustment in her pay to align with colleagues of similar qualifications is necessary. Proposed Policy Change The current organization should implement a transparent and equitable pay structure based on qualifications, experience, and performance, rather than previous salary history. This will help prevent gender-based pay disparities and ensure fair compensation for all employees. Part Two: Training Outline Introduction The training session aims to educate hiring managers and benefits/payroll specialists on fair pay practices to prevent discrimination and ensure equal pay for equal work. Scope The training will focus on understanding legal obligations, recognizing biases in pay decisions, implementing fair pay practices, and promoting diversity and inclusion in compensation. Objectives - To identify and eliminate gender-based pay disparities. - To implement fair and transparent pay policies based on qualifications and performance. - To promote diversity and inclusion in compensation decisions. Training Method The training will be conducted through a combination of online modules and interactive workshops to provide participants with practical knowledge and skills to address pay equity issues effectively. Evaluation using Kirkpatrick's Levels - Level 1: Reaction - Participants will provide feedback on the training content and delivery. - Level 2: Learning - Assess participants' understanding of fair pay practices through quizzes or case studies. - Level 3: Behavior - Monitor participants' implementation of fair pay policies in real-world scenarios. - Level 4: Results - Measure the impact of the training on reducing gender-based pay disparities and promoting pay equity within the organization. By implementing this training, Parker and Mendez Accounting, LLC can create a culture of fairness, equality, and inclusivity in compensation practices, ultimately benefiting both employees and the organization as a whole.

Sample Answer