The lack of equal pay, otherwise also known as the gender wage gap or gender income gap, is ubiquitous and can be seen across industries. Women in developed countries such as the U.S. and countries in the European Union still face a gender pay gap.
For example, the Gender Equality Index 2020 reports that women in the European Union earn 16% less per hour than men. Similarly, women in the U.S. earn 0.82 cents for every dollar earned by men.
Hence, it is crucial to understand the problem and address the issue to close the substantial wage gap faced by women. Ignoring it can severely have a negative impact on the economic well-being of women from diverse backgrounds.
In this blog post, you will learn about eight steps that you can adopt to foster equal pay and reduce the gender pay gap in your business.
So What is the Gender Pay Gap?
The gender pay gap is the difference in earnings between women and men. Generally, women are the victims of the gender pay gap because they often receive less amount of money for the same work with the same qualifications and experience.
Read more about the Gender Pay Gap and its Causes.
Steps to Eliminate the Gender Pay Gap
Tackling and eliminating the gender pay gap is a complex process. It is comprised on the involvement of various stakeholders that mutually agree to adopt strategies that foster gender equality.
However, below are eight basic steps that can be adopted to reduce and gradually eliminate the gender pay gap.
1. Gender Equality Law and Policy
Gender-inclusive laws and policies that embrace gender equality are at the core of fostering gender-equal pay in every sphere.
Hence, international, national and local governments should introduce policies that foster gender equality in pay structures across industries. To do so transparency laws and anti-discrimination measures should be adopted.
2. Equal Pay Policies
For businesses and companies one of the very first steps is to adopt policies that embrace equality and ensure equal pay for everyone. Companies can promote equality and transparency by adopting salary structures that discourage all sorts of discrimination.
The equal pay policy of a company shows the dedication of a company towards providing fair pay with job descriptions that are not ambiguous.
Implementing such strategies, policies, and evaluation criteria for equal pay ensures that decisions regarding salaries are based on objectives that discourage gender bias.
3. Conducting Pay Audits
Organizations and companies should ensure regular pay audits within their organizations. The process should involve examining all the aspects of pay structures.
The audits should involve salaries received by female and male employees working on the same level in similar roles.
It should include the base salary of all employees. Followed by the frequency of bonuses awarded to employees. As well as compensation and benefits such as health insurance, vacation time, and pension plans should also be considered.
4. Promotion, Advancement and Diversity
Businesses and organizations should embrace the culture of diversity and inclusion. They should promote gender equality in the workplace at every stage.
Gender equality should be considered from the process of hiring new or junior employees. Similarly, leadership positions and career advancement opportunities should be open for everyone.
Women and men regardless of their gender orientation, race, age, and religion should be considered based on their merit, skills, and performance.
5. Flexible Working Arrangements
Women are primarily occupied with childcare responsibilities while doing jobs. Hence providing flexible working arrangements can be a big relief.
For instance, companies and organizations can offer flexible working hours, remote work, or parental leave. This strategy can help to support work-life balance for not only women but also for men.
Offering flexible working arrangements can help reduce the gender pay gap. It can also support both women and men to effectively execute their professional duties while fulfilling their parental responsibilities.
6. Training and Education
It is documented that historically women received little or primarily no training and mentorship to excel in what they did. This practice limited their opportunities to enhance their skills and get higher positions.
Hence, companies should target women by providing them with training and educational programs. Additionally, career advancement opportunities should be strictly gender-neutral.
Despite that, time to time training and programs should be provided to all employees that raise awareness about gender bias. Adopting this policy will not only develop the confidence of female employees but they will be mindful of their rights.
Women equipped with advanced skills will be in a better position to take leadership roles and get equal pay.
7. Embracing Gender Diversity
Businesses and companies should embrace diversity in the workplace at every stage. Adopting this strategy ensures that women and men are hired at a similar rate. They are equally paid and are given equal opportunities for promotions and access to resources.
Adopting diversity in leadership can also encourage newbies to work hard and get higher roles. Along with this, the representation of different genders in leadership positions and decision-making roles ensures fair competition based on skills and merit.
8. Transparency
Transparency in salary negotiations, promotions, and performance evaluation minimizes gender-based discrimination and promotes equality.
Fostering transparency reduces the risk of the gender pay gap and embraces equal pay opportunities.
9. Gender Balanced Boards
Companies with equal gender representation at the executive level and leadership positions tend to have equal gender pay in the workplace (Financial Review, 2024).
Hence, if companies promote gender diversity they can help promote equal gender pay and reduce the gender pay gap.
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Concluding Remarks
The above-mentioned steps are only a guideline that provides a starting point for your company to adopt gender-equal pay policies. These steps might seem simple at first glance but they require real dedication and commitment.
To successfully implement these policies collaboration of different stakeholders is required. After designing and implementing equal pay policies a system should be developed that regularly records progress and identify loopholes.
Have you faced gender pay gap discrimination and raised your voice for equal pay in your workplace? Tell us in the comment section below.
