Effective January 1, 2016, California substantially amended its Fair Pay Act to eliminate many of the defenses that traditionally kept employers out of the courtroom when women got paid less than men. The new law eliminates the “equal work” requirement and allows female employees to prevail on wage claims when they can show they were paid lower wages for “substantially similar” work. Even factors other than sex that have traditionally shielded employers, such as setting pay based on the salary of a prior employer or the use of compensation studies, may now offer little protection. This presentation will focus on practical steps companies should take to anticipate and prevent claims.