Let’s start off on the right foot

The skinny 

Take time this Women’s History Month to reflect on the facts. 

♥ 

Twenty years.

In the two decades from 1982 to 2002, working women earned a 15-cent jump, making approximately 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. In the twenty years since, how much have women gained?  

$0.02

Ouch. Want our two cents? Do an equity audit. Improvement starts with measurement. This same difference in pay is reflected in leadership. For every 100 men promoted to management, 87 women move up the ladder. Without a good answer, and disproportionately feeling the stress too, many are breaking up with their employer. 

Down the drain.

From pay discrepancies to the pink tax, women are losing a lot of dough over their lifetime. More than a half million dollars to be exact: approximately $400,000 due to the wage gap and another $188,000 from the pink tax. For Black and Latina women, the estimate easily exceeds a million dollars of lost wealth.

No questions asked.

In addition to fair pay and benefits, flexibility is increasingly becoming table stakes for employees, especially women who traditionally shoulder most caregiving and household responsibilities. Regardless of gender, 60% of working parents have taken or considered taking a career break due to childcare needs. Flexibility means encouraging employees to take time for their mental health just as much as their physical health.

Just the beginning.

Recognizing the often-unsung achievements of women, March was announced Women’s History Month in 1987. As with every diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative, thoughtful reflection must turn into resourceful action. 

Now a break from the news… Darling

Compliance Corner Common pitfalls