The gender pay gap is definitely not a thing of the past — the 77 cents that women make for every man's dollar in this country is a sure sign that gender inequality continues to plague the workplace. To put things in perspective, men make the equivalent of a woman's yearly salary by the time the first of September rolls around. Configured on a weekly basis, a woman must work until the following Tuesday to catch up to a man in an equivalent position.
Just last week, the Senate killed an equal pay bill, called the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, that was aiming to counteract a Supreme Court decision limiting how long workers can wait before suing for pay discrimination. The original decision was made when Lilly Ledbetter sued her employer for pay discrimination and the case escalated all the way to the Supreme Court. Want to know how long you have to sue your employer for unfair pay? Just read more
As Lilly learned when the final gavel was pounded over her case, you have 180 days starting from your hire date to sue over pay discrimination. Her case makes it clear why it's so important to be aware of what your colleagues earn: She worked 20 years for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. before she learned that she was earning far less than her male colleagues. An anonymous co-worker slipped her a note to make her aware of the disparity and Ledbetter says, "I was shocked. I lost my composure. I had to go into the ladies' lounge and sit down because it was just like falling; you look around and see who's looking at you."
Goodyear gave her specific instructions when she was hired to not discuss her pay, and she complied knowing that breaking this rule could mean trouble for her job. Even if your employer doesn't give you strict instructions to keep your lips sealed about pay, talking to your colleagues about salary is something that definitely doesn't come naturally. When I interviewed negotiation expert Linda Babcock she suggested asking your colleagues what they think you should be making, which could be a more comfortable question. Have any of you ever approached a co-worker about pay issues?
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I have never felt that I make less then an equal employee. I do remember though back in college I worked at lowes home impro. I worked with two guys my age in the same department. I was the last one hired and I made $3 an hour more then them. They weren't too happy about it.