ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > September > 13
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Will women ever catch up?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The latest census figures on male and female earnings just came out. The news is not encouraging although some might argue otherwise.
Men had inflation adjusted median earnings of $41,400 last year. Women earned a median salary of $31,900. Apparently this earnings gap has not changed much over the last few years.
The wage gap has been shrinking, albeit slowly, over time. In the last 16 years the female to male earnings ratio has increased from 60% to 77%.
Why is this? Men and women started at lower salaries years ago and therefore have been playing catch up ever since.
Another key explanation revolves around the differences between men and women. Most women don’t ask for more money. I have seen this in my consulting practice for years.
Before they take a job, women often don’t see negotiating salary as an option they have. Since it is always harder to bump up a salary once they are hired, getting increases becomes a real challenge.
Is it that we have been conditioned to play nice and not push too hard for fear being seen as too pushy? Or is it a lack of confidence?
And what about men? In general, men see asking for more money as something they deserve. They negotiate, go for it (and often they get it!) That makes it all the more easy for the men who have follow in their path, etc., etc.
Also, though very difficult to prove, there is still subtle bias going on. I have heard male managers wonder why they should offer a woman more money if “she is just going to leave the workforce to attend to her family”.
While they don’t typically verbalize this, it seems to be a notion still flying around. Organizations need to take a lead in promoting salary equity as well.
When will we ever get to the point where this difference is not an issue? Will we still be singing the same tune at the next census? To this blogger, the song is getting old.
Have you been affected by this issue? Why is this gap still there? Any ideas for individuals and/or companies on making this a non-issue?
