The state of Massachusetts will offer the first statewide salary negotiation workshops for women throughout 2018
Pay Gap Remains a Large Issue
The average gender wage gap is striking–still.
Despite corporate marketing campaigns touting diverse work forces and programs to address pay gaps, despite the talk of management–the labor statistics have changed little and current models show a leveling off of progress for wage equality.
Women across the U.S. are paid, on average, 80 cents for every dollar earned by men. As we’ve discussed, while there are some national programs and employers trying to combat this, there are steps that women can take to better negotiate their own personal salary.
According to Economic Empowerment of MA, women of color have more disappointing numbers. Latina women are paid on average just 50 cents on the dollar, Native American women, 61 cents and Black women 63 cents.
ANNOUNCING: #JustAsk! @MassTreasury’s newest #wageequality initiative created to help women fight the #wagegap through salary negotiation training! #JustAskMA pic.twitter.com/8CCTVVTupu
— Economic Empowerment (@EmpowermentMA) January 24, 2018
Pay Disparity Isn’t Going Away
Not only is pay equity slowed, but projection models show it will get worse in time based on current patterns. Progress has slowed and projections now estimate pay equality with white male wage earners in the year 2119. In addition to working to promote equality for wages, we also need to pick up the slack personally and ensure we are demanding a fair wage. The salary discussion is often uncomfortable and not a trained skill. Women are far less likely to even attempt salary negotiation.
In her book Women Don’t Ask, Linda Babcock found that only about 7 percent of women attempt to negotiate their initial salary, while 57 percent of men negotiate. The difference is staggering. However armed with the knowledge that just asking makes negotiation possible in many cases, women should always try to negotiate. Even when turned down there are alternate benefits that might be available.
2018 Massachusetts Workshops
The State of Massachusetts wants to actively change the trend with salary negotiation workshops for women. The program uses a successful model launched in Boston. The program has trained 6,000 women since 2015. Of those who participated in the workshops, over half have since negotiated pay raises or initial salaries. The state of Massachusetts is the first statewide program of its kind. The goal for 2018 is to train 5,000 women through 150 community college based workshops across the state.
Looking for a local program. Find the schedule here for students and non-students: https://salary.aauw.org/attend/
Not in Massachusetts, but interested in pay negotiation? Check the She Negotiates website for events that may be in your area. Additionally, speak to your governor’s office about education programs and the inclusion of pay negotiation as part of job and employment skills.
