Hi, this is Lauren discussing why we want fair pay rather than equal pay. Pay gaps, sexism, and gender inequality make up some of the hottest topics on the corporate playground at the moment. It’s generally agreed that the cards are stacked against women when it comes to pay. It’s generally agreed that social and organisational culture continues to slam the door in the face of career progression for many women. However, we’re often so hung up on contrasting salaries and bonuses with Mr. Desk-Next-Door, that we rarely take the time to assess what equal pay even is, and whether that’s actually what we want.
Real talk on why we want fair pay, not equal pay
I often hear women reeling about how their male colleagues are being paid substantially more than they are. However, when I push for numbers, very few women can actually give me any figures. I’ll ask, what do you think you should be paid? And they’ll look bashful, and mutter something about being paid the same as their male colleagues.
Reading between the lines, most women don’t have a clue what they should be paid, because they’ve never taken the time to evaluate what their skill set is actually worth. If you haven’t researched the market, or thought about what numerical value your skills bring to your industry, then chances are you’ll have no choice but to accept any old average number your employer slaps on the table. Simply because you are without any rebuttable to negotiate otherwise.
Equal pay implies that women should be paid the same as men. Full stop. The end. It sounds great, but this egalitarian concept is too generic and unrefined to be realistically applied in practice. To say that all men and women should receive the same sized slice of pie, regardless of their experience, skills, ambition, ability and achievements within their industry is misguided. A one-size-fits-all approach is not what we really want.
Ways to help close the gender gap
Yes, we can say we’re disadvantaged by organisational culture. Yes, we can say we’re hindered by sexism. Yes, can say our society needs to move towards great empowerment of women. But we as individuals can take matters into our own hands. I believe part of the solution to closing the ‘gender pay gap’ is to:
- Stop focusing on what men are earning; and
- Start focusing on being paid what you’re worth.
We all know the statistics of men earning more. It’s raw and it’s real, but you don’t have to become a statistic. Nobody will ever pay you what you’re worth, they will only ever pay you what they think you’re worth. Therefore, it’s within your control to influence their thinking to ensure it matches your ideals.
I don’t believe in equality when it comes to pay. Simply because equal does not mean fair. Regardless of gender, if you’re a driven and enthusiastic performer at work, you want to be recognised for your achievements and results.
Why should you be paid the same as the lazy sod who rocks at 9.10 am every morning and is more concerned about a Facebook feed than owning the day? Fair is the concept that really matters. Get rid of gender. An individual assessment of merit is what we should be pushing for.
Compacting your skills and experience into an annual numerical figure is not an easy task. In fact, it can pose more questions than answers. Women are naturally far more modest than men, but sadly, humility doesn’t pay dollars in performance reviews or job interviews. So it’s easier to beat our drum to the tune of being paid the same as men. Market rates are just a guide. You may be worth more, but if you’re not sure, how can you expect your employer to be?
I’m not suggesting that men are busy drawing up excel spreadsheets, analysing data, or ferociously researching the job market to investigate the numerical worth of their skill set. However, men tend to have a natural assertiveness and confidence that serves them well when it comes to negotiating salaries. They simply state their desired salary and benefits as facts not questions, they don’t ask permission to be paid more.
Being paid the same as everyone else, sets the bar pretty low, and isn’t really a solution to the years of misogynistic oppression women have endured, and continue to fight against. Yes, you’re worth more, but it’s a case of advocating for yourself. Nobody will do it for you.
Want to read more on feminism? Here you go.
Call to action
- Don’t ask, insist – if you’re not assertive in your performance review and insist on having a salary raise that meets your expectations, then you’re accepting less. You choose your salary based on your response and your ability to negotiate.
- Prepare your case and know your worth – if you can go into any interview, performance review, or salary negotiation meeting with confidence; knowing what your value’s worth, how your skills are maximising results for the company and its clients, and how you’re exceeding expectation, you haven’t asked for a raise, you’ve proven you deserve one.
- Stop comparing your salary to your neighbour’s – their salary depends on a number of variables you are unlikely to be privy to. Focus on the value of your package and how you can present your worth based on what you bring to the table.
Equal pay will not balance the scales. We want fair pay. Let’s take gender out of the equation and demand to be assessed on the value of our skills, achievements, experience, knowledge, and individual merit. Because that’s not equal, that’s fair.
Recommended read to help with your call to action: Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office: Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers, by Lois P. Frankel. Get it here.
About today’s writer on wanting fair pay
Lauren is a litigation solicitor based in Sydney. She is passionate about advocating for women and workers’ rights. She ran a blog called Lawyer Lauren at the time of publishing, which no longer exists.
When she’s not arguing, writing, or trying to stay awake in meetings, she cooks, surfs, and tries to manage her comedy club and yoga addiction. Tweet me @lvalawyer Add me on LinkedIn.
I just loved this blog. Very well explained.
Feminism is often attacked in unjustified ways. No wonder, it is run by discriminated women. No credibility gaps should be allowed. Posts link this help the cause further.
I love this!! Especially the part about comparing one’s salary to that of one’s neighbor; what if they, too, are actually unknowingly undervalued? I agree – much better to know what *you’re* worth and compete with yourself 😊👍🏼👍🏼. I also very much appreciate the emphasis on objectivity; so many (I particularly see this in the upper and lower age groups) seem to have a sense of unfounded entitlement 💓💓
Laina, your insights into this guest post are brilliant and reveal your curiosity about the world which I for one appreciate so much! I am always open to conversations that encourage learning and that’s exactly what I find with your blog, as well as the comments you leave here. Thank you for both <3
Thank you, dear friend! The feeling is very mutual 😊💚💙. I love your curiosity as well! And I really appreciate your sharing the info you do 💞💞. Thank you for both, too! ✨✨
Ohhh <3 Sending love your way!
Well said!
Lauren has a great guest post here and so glad you agree!
Superb essay Lauren! The “call to action” can be inspiring to all of us. Christy – thanks of adding this great post.
Thanks Dave, I appreciate your comments!
It’s amazing that equal rights and equal pay can cross the divides of race, religion, and creed, but not gender. Equal and fair pay should be for all, regardless of skin color, political affiliation, or sex. Only then will be living up to the principals our country was founded on.
Gender seems to have a double-standard, indeed. Thanks Amy for expressing that point so well in your comment
This is a very interesting question. I am a chartered accountant and am fairly senior in my company. I am an associate director at my company but I am not a partner. To a large extent this has been my own choice as I have a family and I did not want to make the same unconditional time commitment as my male colleagues. I am not meaning with the work I produce, as that is of a very high standard, but I don’t play the game in the same way the men do. I don’t attend the golf days, stay for drinks and socials after work and go away for conferences. If you don’t do these things you can’t progress in the same way – rightly or wrongly. Just some food for thought!
It’s tough that those extra-curricular activities are stopping you from moving higher in the ranks. Those men who are partaking in the golf and drinks activities likely have families too yet they are not held to the same demands at home as women, by the sounds of it.. You’ve brought up good points here, Robbie!
Apologies, Christy, for arriving here a few days late, but I’m glad I got here! This is a super article expressing an alternative way of looking at the gender equity issue in the workplace and in society in general.
You’re most welcome, Christy. I’m contributing to the gender discussion in a post tomorrow. It is an important topic!
I’ll be over to read it today!
Such an excellent post with profound thought. Exactly Lauren’s point – pay equality she be based on an individual’s performance regardless of gender. Get paid what we’re worth. Wouldn’t that be fantastic for authors, lol? :) <3
Lauren presents great points to ponder here, doesn’t she, Debby? OHHHH yes re authors, yes!
Lol yes! :)
Yes!! So great of you, Christy! You have been reblogging some movers and shakers in the areas of Art, peace and women. All need support and they make our lives better by their efforts. . . And your voice is showing as a big influence in the blogging community. I am impressed that some recent posts have touched over a hundred people to press like! We all need more of you, making a difference! Thank you Lauren, for a great reminder about our value in this world. Fair Pay is a great way to express this. . .
HUGE hugs!! Your comment here has truly made my day. I mean it.
Christy, I mean how I notice how much you are networking and making a significant difference. I am smiling since it is always nice to receive hugs. Thank you, dear. <3 kudos and flowers 💐 🕊
And I appreciate how you take time to notice the so-called small things xo You are a delight!!
I am grateful that my words sometimes have lovely ways to create bridges. (There have been times I have stuck my foot in my mouth! :D ) xo Thank you so much, you made my night, Christy.
My smile just got bigger – didn’t think it was possible :) Thanks again, Robin ♥
Informative and sound advice in this article. We can always hope to make progress on the point of equality in pay . I hope your weekend is going well, Christy.
So great to see you here Lana and to know Lauren’s post has had such impact on readers. The weekend was nice, including a BBQ! I hope you had a great weekend too :)
Interesting intro to a legal professional, and one who appears to think logically on a topical issue. Equal pay in work or professional sports will be a non-starter as it hardly makes sense specially when the output is significantly different. The ideal to be pursued is equity and fair play. Equitable returns on efforts invested, be it male or female, ought to be the conclusive solution. Thanks Christy for the great variety of your offerings in poetic parfait and inspiring women…😋👍
Oh sweet friend, your words do make my heart full :) xx
Such a thoughtful article from Lauren, and I love her concept of fair pay and the reasoning behind it. “they will only ever pay you what they think you’re worth” This is so true about what others can think. Others can think what they are want to think. But it is certainly up to us to do the best we can to show what we deserve. If we can build up knowledge and skills, we better ourselves and let our work do the talking. Of course, sometimes this is easier said than done given how legislation and organisation culture goes, but starting with ourselves will imspire others to do the same and one day, things will change :)
It’s tough sometimes to stand up for ourselves but Lauren’s post serves as a great reminder for women, as well as exploring whether pay ought to be equal or fair. Appreciate your comment Mabel, and, in particular, your optimism :)
A huge thank you and shout out to Christy for having me guest post on such an important topic. Thank you, everyone, for your comments. Being open minded to hearing a different stance on such a potentially sensitive issue can be difficult. I believe one of the best ways to begin change is to challenge opinions. The law has a long way to go in assisting women to be empowered. However, there is so much we can do as individuals to foster positive change within our homes, workplaces and communities. I look forward to hearing how everyone’s next salary review goes ;)
Lauren, believe me when I say it is my pleasure to have you here for this guest blog. The topic is very important and by questioning the assumptions of society only then can we move ahead to shatter the glass ceiling. Yes re the salary review ;) I’ll certainly think about your post when it comes to the next projects I take!
Excellent post, Christy. When we women focus our intention on our own worth, we can move mountains :)
Here’s to moving mountains! Thanks Tina for appreciating Lauren’s excellent post here <3 xx
Great post, Christy & good to meet you Lauren
I´ll speak for what I know
Equal pay FOR EQUAL WORK is what The Argentine Constitution states (***art 14 bis)
That would be probably be related to fair pay more than just “equal”.
Now t achieve that ideal women need to stand up for their rights. Some legislations are more fair than others in this sense. As far as I know for documentaries I have watched the situation in US is not the best one when it comes to labor guarantees (vacation are shorter than in Europe for instance and there are no huge protections to pregnant women.
Maybe Laureen as a lawyer can tell us more about Australia, too.
Love & best wishes. :D :star:
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*** Article 14 bis. Labor in its diverse forms shall enjoy the protection of the law, which shall ensure to workers: dignified and equitable working conditions; a limited working day; paid days of rest and vacation; fair remuneration; adjustable minimum living wages; equal pay for equal work; a share in the earnings of enterprises, with control over production and collaboration in management; protection against arbitrary discharge; permanence of public employment; free and democratic organization of labor unions, recognized simply by inscription in a special register.
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Hi Aqui, don’t even get me started on the Trump administration and women ~ That would be a loooong comment.. But I appreciate learning about Argentina’s laws on this. Lauren makes so many good points and your comment here reflects how it is one that makes us ponder.. Interesting how you bring to light the differences in the various countries and how different yet alike we are in our struggles for women. Wonderful to see you, dear star ♥
You know Christy, this was the most interesting post because it said everything that my dad said all the years ago about this whole issue. ( I had a most unusual upbringing that way for the time.) He would well be telling Lauren to step forward in every way.
I join you in telling Lauren that, Shey! And your dad spoke wise words, indeed xx
He was a wise man xxxx
Sending love xx
I agree with this. Take gender out of the issue, be a hard working go-getter and go for what you are meritoriously worth.
Although, I also ask why should a lack luster non-getter man make more than a lack luster non-getter woman?
Strange, but true, not everyone is driven to be successful. They just want to earn a living.
And I think it all depends too on what we consider to be “success” ;) Is it monetary or otherwise? You leave awesome comments, by the way
Yes, there are many measures to success, love and good health being major.
This is my rallying cry! So many of us don’t realize that we set the tone of how we’re compensated…This line right here is perfect!
“They simply state their desired salary and benefits as facts not questions, they don’t ask permission to be paid more.”
Your enthusiasm is what we need more of! :)
Thank you kindly for reblogging the post!
Hugs Christy Lauren for stepping forward and addressing the issues you face… 100% plus behind your voice… Never stop…
Rolly
We’ll keep going ~ So nice to see the support for Lauren’s writing here, Rolly. Thanks!
Very interesting and challenging post this one Christy. So many hues to waddle through.
Lauren challenges our thinking in a good way ~ It’s wonderful having her here today! Thanks for taking time to read though the blog posts today :)
Christy, you are doing a marvellous job on your blog. Thanks for having her over to challenge our thinking. Blessings!
Thank you for letting me know the blog is achieving its goals with your feedback here! Many hugs
Have a beautiful weekend, Christy. Hugs.
Happy weekend, Teagan! Work on the book continues over here. You too? Hugs
Excellent, Christy. Me… doubtful. This is the third weekend that I’ve been incapacitated by an especially nasty sinus/allergy/asthma thing. I’m finally getting better, if the cough would go away. But they said the cough might last 6 more weeks — at least the other symptoms are finally getting better. I know all that is just a little thing compared to what so many people go through. Even so, I don’t expect to accomplish much writing. Or editing either.
Sorry not to have a blog related comment. Equal pay is a huge issue with me, so I couldn’t appropriately consolidate my thoughts. More hugs and happy writing. :)
No need to apologize, Teagan. I know you read what publishes here and I consider that high praise. Sorry to hear you’re not doing well :( I send healing thoughts and a gentle hug. Wishing you a long rest this weekend xx Thanks for the encouraging words too
such a thought provoking post..
Lauren brought many great points to the table! So glad you found it interesting too