Today is a special day, ladies and gentlemen! It’s that magical day that marks how far into a year a woman has to work to make what her male counterparts made last year. Happy Equal Pay Day!
All of the best holidays have a mascot, right? To get this Equal Pay Day the attention it deserves, we need a symbol that everyone can get excited about… the Equal Pay Day Puppy!
Most people love puppies and this one really exemplifies my feelings about the wage gap. Look at that little frustrated puppy face, baffled over why the boy puppies are making more than her.
Giving gifts is not traditionally a part of Equal Pay Day, but while we’re revamping the holiday, I’m going to ask the Equal Pay Day Puppy for a few things to make my holiday brighter:
I Want More Women to Negotiate
Most companies are not going to give you money that you don’t ask for. In order for women to make more, negotiating is a must.
The University of Texas did a negotiation study that showed women asked for $7,000 less than men when negotiating for themselves. Yet when they were asked to negotiate on behalf of their colleagues, women asked for the same salary as men.
So many women worry that they will be seen as pushy or demanding if they try to negotiate. Some even tell horror stories of negotiating themselves out of a job.
But nothing is going to change without action.
Don’t go into a negotiation stomping your feet and shaking your fist at the injustice of your salary. Go in calm and prepared. Know how much you want to make and have the data to back up why you are worth that much.
I Want Gender Bias to Stop
Getting equal pay is impossible without first getting the job. Studies about men getting hired over equally skilled women show the larger issue of gender bias in hiring practices.
Even after getting the job, females are often expected to act a certain way. Being too quiet makes you weak. Being too loud makes you bossy. It’s hard to know what to do.
My strategy is to unapologetically be myself. If some people think I’m too bossy or too nice, so be it.
Pleasing everyone is impossible. Instead of focusing on how to change your personality to fit into a mold, try focusing that energy on learning to work well with every different personality type, even the ones you loathe.
Strong interpersonal skills can help people notice your positive qualities instead of your gender.
I Want Equal Pay Day to End Before 2057
As much as I love the Equal Pay Day Puppy, I’m looking forward to the day that her services will no longer be needed.
Unfortunately, a study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research shows that at this rate, equal wages won’t be reached until 2058.
That’s unacceptable. It’s frustrating enough that I have deal with this, but I can’t imagine my now four-year-old niece spending her whole life facing the same uphill battle.
Get proactive about ending the wage gap once and for all. Women need to not be afraid to stand up for themselves. Human resources departments need to pay attention to their hiring and salary negotiating practices. Companies need to make sure that all employees have equal opportunities and compensation.
Your daughters, nieces and sisters deserve better.
Erin Palmer is a writer and editor who looks forward to celebrating the last ever Equal Pay Day. Her work has appeared in numerous publications and websites, including The Chicago Tribune and The Huffington Post.
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