Which legislation requires equal pay for substantially equal work regardless of gender?

The legislation that mandates equal pay for substantially equal work regardless of gender is the Equal Pay Act. Enacted in 1963 as an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act, this law prohibits wage discrimination based on sex. It requires that men and women receive equal pay for performing jobs that require equal skill, effort, and responsibility and are performed under similar working conditions. The focus is on ensuring that individuals doing similar work are compensated equally, which is vital in promoting gender equity in the workplace.

The Fair Labor Standards Act, while related, primarily sets out regulations regarding minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor, not specifically addressing equal pay. The Family and Medical Leave Act is aimed at providing eligible employees with unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons, and does not pertain to wage equality. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities but does not concern itself with equal pay based on gender. Thus, the Equal Pay Act is specifically designed to address wage disparities based on gender, making it the correct legislation for this question.