19. According to paragraphs 1 and 2 of 'The Letter of the Law,' Lilly Ledbetter worked for Goodyear for nearly 20 years; however, conflict arose in 1998 when Ledbetter was nearing retirement. What can the reader infer from the information in these paragraphs?
Answer: C
Company policy made it easier for Goodyear to violate the law.
The information presented in paragraphs 1 and 2 suggests that the company's policy prohibiting employees from discussing their salaries created an environment where discrimination could thrive without scrutiny. This lack of transparency allowed Goodyear to maintain pay disparities between male and female employees without accountability.
A) Women at Goodyear received fewer promotions than men.
While it is true that Ledbetter experienced pay discrimination, the provided paragraphs do not specifically mention promotions or any direct evidence that women received fewer promotions than men. Therefore, this option cannot be inferred from the text.
B) Male supervisors were indifferent about the salaries paid to the female supervisors.
The paragraphs do not provide enough information to conclude that male supervisors were indifferent about the salaries of female supervisors. Instead, Ledbetter's situation highlights the lack of awareness about pay disparities rather than indifference.
C) Company policy made it easier for Goodyear to violate the law.
The extract indicates that Goodyear's policy of prohibiting employees from discussing salaries contributed directly to Ledbetter's lack of knowledge regarding pay disparities. This lack of transparency facilitated the company's ability to maintain discriminatory pay practices without detection, making this option the most accurate inference.
D) Female employees performed less strenuous tasks than their male counterparts.
The text clearly states that Ledbetter worked the same job and alongside men, suggesting that she performed the same tasks as her male counterparts. Thus, this option is incorrect and cannot be inferred from the information given.
Conclusion
The correct inference is that Goodyear's company policy created a culture of secrecy that enabled wage discrimination to go unchecked. Options A, B, and D lack supporting evidence from the text, while Option C directly correlates with the issues highlighted in the paragraphs regarding pay discrepancies and the consequences of non-transparent policies.