Although women make up nearly half the labor force, on average, women still tend to earn less than their male counterparts even in like positions and with like skills. In the past five years, women have earned on average 80 cents for every dollar that a man earns. While that gap seems to decrease each year, it has still yet to be closed. With the current rate at which the gap is closing, unless there are drastic changes, it may not be until 2059 that women typically make the same average pay as men.2
There seem to be both explained and unexplained reasons for the difference in pay between men and women. Sometimes the difference in pay is linked to the positions that many women are offered, the number of subordinates, and the locations of their job offers. Other times, the only explanations for the gaps are gender bias, the assumption of gender norms, and the difference in negotiation tactics between men and women.2
For companies that want to do their part to end pay disparity, it is crucial to identify pay inequalities at like-for-level, which means when a woman and man have the same experience, qualifications, responsibilities, and achievements, their pay should be equal. Companies may do this by periodic reviews of pay levels and implementing policies and programs that include the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women and address pay issues when they are found.2
Unfortunately, the wage gap between men and women goes further than simple pay gaps. With the lower pay rates and higher amounts of time away from work, typically related to family and child-rearing, women are not able to amass savings in the same way that men do. The average net worth of females is half that of similar males. Women typically save just $0.32 for every dollar a man does on average.1
In addition to a smaller net worth, women also tend to be deeper in debt than males. They tend to outpace men in the earning of higher-level degrees to be able to earn higher pay rates, but to get this, they may find themselves at higher levels of debt pursuing their education.1
Bridging the gap may involve not only the diligent work of employers but strong state and federal laws designed to ensure equal pay for equal work. These laws may need to be implemented to ensure these rights are enforced. Women are also able to further the cause by continuing to advocate for themselves and negotiate for higher levels of pay and benefits. They also may need to fight for promotions and leadership opportunities that align with their skills, experience, and education.1
1The Gender Pay Gap, AAUW.org, https://www.aauw.org/issues/equity/pay-gap/
2Understanding ‘Equal Pay’ and How to Achieve It, Stanford Social Innovation Review, https://ssir.org/articles/entry/understanding_equal_pay_and_how_to_achieve_it
Sources
https://www.aauw.org/issues/equity/pay-gap/
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/understanding_equal_pay_and_how_to_achieve_it
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This article was prepared by WriterAccess.
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