Apr
22
Salary Differences
April 22, 2007 | 3 Comments
For years it has been argued that women get a lower salary than men even when they hold the same position, or even show the same results. In the case of the same position there can be an argument about how hard two different persons work or succeed at the tasks given, regardless of sex. However, once you find comparison people (of different sexes) that show the same results, you start agreeing that there is a real salary difference among sexes. Many people have formulated opinions on why there is such a gap, and I feel entitled to formulate my own opinion.I have no question about the fact that society promotes this difference. My wife observed at one of her previous employers, that during the .com burst, managers preferred to fire married women rather than men just because they where not thought to be heads of family. Some managers (maybe incorrectly) thought that by firing women they where causing a lesser impact to society. Same thing was observed at the time of salary increases. I think this is something that nobody talks or writes about, but it is part of how our society thinks: married women’s jobs are seen as secondary incomes in the house – rather as a complement or even a luxury.
I have personally observed that women tend to talk more about satisfactory careers and less about increased salary. I think women are more susceptible to office politics than men, while men tend to tolerate them better if they are paid well. I think women are pleased at their workplace by providing a satisfactory work environment where they can learn new skills, do a good job, and establish good relations with co-workers, while men are easier to satisfy with salary increases even if they feel terrible about their work environment. My wife noticed this on her previous two job changes, where she has had to tell hiring manager directly that she valued money as much as the career. It was the only way that she was able to get the conversation going in terms of increasing salary. Managers where trying to sell the ‘career opportunities’, great ‘work environments’ and ‘excellent benefits’ (rather standard across industry and constant through all employee levels) rather than a nice pay. Maybe women need to show a healthy amount of greed on salary requirements – ready to change jobs if the economic expectations are not met.
I believe that one of the reasons men do marginally better than women is because we are told by family or society to be ready to support a complete family with only our income. This makes many men a bit more aggressive at succeeding in their careers and bringing more money to the home: thus increasing their power within the house and within society. For women to become equally strong on their finances, they should feel the same way: capable of supporting a family by themselves.
Some things I suggest:
- Spell it out – Maybe women should start being open about their financial needs. When they talk to hiring managers or current managers they should establish – more emphatically than men, for their situations is assumed by society – their primary need to generate an income. Maybe they should establish that for a much fun their career is, they are working to support themselves, a family, and their future.
- Don’t be afraid to jump ship – Change jobs, and change them frequently for a 15% or more salary increase. Be loyal only to those employers that compensate you fairly for your work and for your results. Keep in touch with coworkers that you care about, but don’t let them tie you up to your job
- Express value, not position – Show value (earnings, profit, on time releases, shipments, measured increased quality, measured increased customer satisfaction, savings, etc.) Once you show value in an irrefutable way (numbers) all of the discussions about salary with your current or prospective managers become easier. Comparing two employees of the same position is setting yourself up for falling into your own trap: the manager may suggest that the other person worked harder, more efficient, or that titles don’t mean anything in the company, only needs and results.
Over the years the salary gap has decreased in the US economy. Yet it is still there. I am not sure the reasoning given is the only cause for the gap. I am not sure that this article spells out the complete solution for eliminating the gap either. But I do believe it is something to take in consideration, and my suggestions may help women reduce the way society affects their income.
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[...] I believe that one of the reasons men do marginally better than women is because we are told by family or society to be ready to support a complete family with only our income. This makes many men a bit more aggressive at succeeding in their careers and bringing more money to the home: thus increasing their power within the house and within society. For women to become equally strong on their finances, they should feel the same way: capable of supporting a family by themselves. [This doesn’t mean men can manage money better than women. They may try harder to earn more.] — more on: Salary Differences, http://www.moneyandinvesting.net The book doesn’t expand on topics like supporting a significant other that becomes disabled or unemployed, the incremental expenses of having kids, or even provide detailed explanations on college education (a two page section on the two most popular college savings plans only). While I understand the interest of making the book brief, I am concerned that women will not be completely emancipated until they have equal or stronger money values than men: including the desire or perceived need to fully support a family on the economical sense (not only emotionally). Although some women will decide not to have kids, I believe the majority does ends up having them and may need to partially or even fully support them. [...]
I saw a study a long time ago that found there was even more discrimination against women if they were short, had a higher voice, and round (a few extra pounds.)
I think that if you did do research on this subject you would find that taller men do better regardless of ability.
Where I live there were huge cuts in education and when I looked at the research on who didn’t get a job it was females over 40 that were predominately looked over. The on-call lists now tend to be 80% female and only 20% male.
Your article is 100% correct. I am a prime example.
I am currently making 70k per year.. and I am looking for a new job. When asked about salary preferences, I continuously say I just want the industry standard and NOTHING MORE. I am more interested in an interesting job with a nice work atmosphere.
For some reason, as a woman, I think I am depending on finding a man to help pay for the bills so I’m not worrying too much about it. This article has really opened my eyes to how society has brainwashed me to depend on a man! Great stuff!