What is the gender pay gap, and does it affect you? If it does affect you, is there anything you can do about it? This guide explains.
The gender pay gap is the average difference between pay for men and women in the workforce. Women generally make less money than men do, and the results of multiple studies over the past several decades have been consistent. On average, women make about $0.82 for every $1 men make, and the gap is wider between women of color and men. This table outlines the gender pay gap using averages from 2018 Census Bureau data.
Men | $1 |
Black women | $0.62 |
Hispanic or Latino | $0.54 |
Asian | $0.90 |
White | $0.79 |
American Indian or Alaska Native | $0.57 |
Several factors affect the gender wage gap – this gap doesn’t reflect the differences in pay between men and women performing the same services. Instead, it looks at all men and women in the workforce. Some of the factors that influence the gender wage gap include:
First things first: Your employer must pay you the same wage it would pay a man with the same or similar experience to perform the same work. Thanks to the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers cannot deny women:
Employers cannot manipulate job evaluations to relegate women’s pay, and they cannot intentionally segregate men and women by placing them in jobs according to their gender. (Naturally, there are circumstances where it’s okay to only hire a woman or only hire a man; this isn’t the same thing as having a genuine need to hire a person of a specific gender. For example, a women’s fitness center may market itself as “for women, by women” and, in order to create a safe space for women to work out, may hire only female trainers and other associates.)
Sometimes it’s appropriate for an employer to pay a woman less than it’s paying a man. For example, if you’re a brand-new hire, fresh out of college, you’re going to make less money than a man who is the CEO of the company. The key is that if you are performing the same job duties, you have similar experience, and working on the same projects, you should be paid equally.
If you’re facing a pay gap with your male colleagues, you may have legal recourse. You should consult with an attorney about your situation, and let your lawyer know everything you’ve learned about what others are making. It can be very difficult to prove that you’re being discriminated against when it comes to pay, so working with a lawyer may be your best option.
We’ll be happy to provide you with a free consultation if you’re being paid less than your male counterparts are. Call our office to schedule a time to talk now – we’re at 818-230-8380. You can also contact us by filling out the form below.
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