Women are deeply concerned about the issue of pay discrimination. Survey after survey indicates that unequal pay ranks at the top of women’s concerns about their work. To resolve the problem, women support stronger enforcement of equal pay laws; they also want information about salary rates as well as opportunities to develop their negotiating skills. But they aren’t sure what else will help to reduce pay discrimination.

The general public believes that time will take care of pay differentials, despite the fact that women’s increased levels of education and experience have not closed the pay gap with men. Women Employed has compiled this report to inform policymakers and the public about concrete solutions to the problem of unequal pay. It is also an invitation—to corporate leaders, public policymakers, working women and the families who depend on them—to join together in a comprehensive effort to eliminate pay discrimination.

Raising Women’s Pay: An Agenda for Equity is one component of Women Employed’s Raising Women’s Pay Campaign, which is comprised of public education, organizing, and advocacy strategies aimed at bringing new energy and attention to the unfinished business of ensuring equitable pay for women. The goals of the campaign are to:

  • strengthen equal pay laws and improve enforcement
  • increase women’s participation in higher paying male-dominated occupations through affirmative action and greater access to education and training
  • improve corporate compensation practices by increasing voluntary pay reviews and reducing glass ceiling barriers
  • reduce the tax burden on low-wage workers
  • raise and index the minimum wage
  • promote unionization as a strategy for raising women’s pay and ensuring equity
  • encourage employers to fairly pro-rate pay and benefits for part-time and temporary workers.

Read the source article at IssueLab