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Original poster

equal pay

63 replies

crappymummy · 21/03/2016 16:14

This is a thread where I would like to discuss equal pay, for women who are not global superstars, who do not sit on a Board, and are not in the running to head the North American division of their companies.

in my own work, I have not progressed up the pay scale because of taking a maternity leave- my ML came at the end of the year, and only affected one month of that year, but because of that, my employers would not allow me to use any of my work from that year to support a move up the pay scale.

In my current job, pay is incredibly opaque and I have no idea how my pay compares to that of others.

I kind of think that pay transparency would be a good step towards equity- when everyone knows what everyone makes it is harder to justify discrepancies.

What do others think? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts

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Original poster
crappymummy · 21/03/2016 16:42

It does, but these aren't posted anywhere. I would have to ask, and this seems taboo

this is the other thing, it feels like a battle I have to fight myself, and every other woman for herself too- atomised in this way it seems a lot harder to make lasting change

I wonder what proportion of companies employ more than 250 people, the cynic in me says this figure was chosen as it will leave most pay practices intact

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SpeakNoWords · 21/03/2016 16:39

As far as I understand it, it will be total employees of 250 or more. The rules apply from 2018.

Does your current company have pay scales/grades?

Lweji · 21/03/2016 16:39

WTF?
How do you read that in my post????

Original poster
crappymummy · 21/03/2016 16:36

Lweji, I am trying not to read your post as a 'shut up, at least you are being paid, and other women have it worse'

I am a woman who also does a lot of unpaid work too- should I put off caring about equal pay until that is resolved? Confused

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treaclesoda · 21/03/2016 16:35

I think pay transparency would be a huge step in the right direction.

Original poster
crappymummy · 21/03/2016 16:32

I am assuming I am not paid equally, as that is the general trend for women in work

You are right though, I have no idea if I am, or even where exactly I am on our pay scale Confused

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Lweji · 21/03/2016 16:31

I'd like to share this with you, in case someone has missed it.

2016 ANNUAL LETTER
MORE TIME
by Melinda
www.gatesnotes.com/2016-Annual-Letter#ALChapter3

In addition, I think pay transparency would benefit women, as well as having clear guidelines on pay rises and career progression within organisations.
In state based jobs differences tend to be smaller because of such regulations, if I'm not mistaken.

Original poster
crappymummy · 21/03/2016 16:31

I didn't even know there were new rules on pay transparency coming into force

do you know if the 250 includes all people at work for a company, or if they have to be doing the same work, eg would a company with 250 people who include sales, marketing, HR, cleaners, accountants still be bound by these laws

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MrNoseybonk · 21/03/2016 16:30

If your pay scales are very opaque, how do you know you're not being paid for your equal work?
I don't know what any of my coworkers are paid, it's very frustrating.

SpeakNoWords · 21/03/2016 16:25

The new rules on pay transparency will only apply to businesses with more than 250 employees, so it won't directly benefit the many people employed by smaller companies, sadly. Perhaps there will be a knock on effect though, as women realise what men are getting paid in similar roles in different companies, and demand more pay.

Original poster
crappymummy · 21/03/2016 16:25

Maybe I have posted this thread in the wrong place Confused

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Original poster
crappymummy · 21/03/2016 16:23

would creating lists of criteria for pay grades help? is this feasible?

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Original poster
crappymummy · 21/03/2016 16:21

what else in addition to pay transparency might help?

the only time I was ever paid exactly the same as colleagues for the same work was when I worked in minimum wage jobs

As my job descriptions became more nebulous, maybe it got easier to not pay me for equal work?

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