The U.S. faces historic levels of income inequality, and women and racial minorities remain underrepresented in high-paying occupations. To what extent can employment discrimination law help narrow the wage and wealth gaps? Work law scholars have focused on minimum wage law and revitalizing collective action, yet a significant portion of income inequality reflects the structural impacts of race, ethnicity, and gender that anti-discrimination law was intended to reach. This panel will consider labor market drivers of income inequality and workforce segregation, exploring whether and how employment discrimination law can respond. Topics for discussion include: the racial and gender wage and wealth gaps; workforce segregation and the underrepresentation of women, racial minorities, and immigrant workers in high-paying fields; the relationship between social status, who performs what work, and how work is valued; and the role of anti-discrimination law, affirmative action, and diversity initiatives to help remedy income disparities.
Business meeting at program conclusion.