Did you know that April 2 was Equal Pay Day?\u00a0 We all know April 15 is when our tax returns are due; however, Equal Pay Day marks the 3 plus additional months that a woman needs to work to earn as much as a man earned the previous year.\u00a0 In other words, she\u2019s working a full year plus three more months just to catch up with what a man earns for doing the same job.\u00a0 You got it!<\/p>\n
While this is maddening, frustrating, and certainly nothing new, let\u2019s talk about the toll this takes on you.\u00a0 And more importantly, I want to help each individual realize their full work value, as well as what we can do collectively to move the needle toward pay equity.\u00a0 It has been well-researched that people who make more money have improved health, so think about your own well-being and the health of your relationships.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re taking care of your children, your parents or your pets, they are at risk when you\u2019re undervalued and\/or not receiving the salary you deserve.\u00a0 When you\u2019re out of balance with money in a relationship, it almost always causes conflict.\u00a0 If you deserve to be making more or getting a promotion that you\u2019re not, think of the impact you could have on your own health and the lives of those you love by advocating for yourself.<\/p>\n
Think about your future retirement.\u00a0 If you\u2019re living at a basic level of subsistence without putting money away for retirement, you\u2019ll become dependent on family, the government or charity to provide for life\u2019s basic necessities when you\u2019re no longer able to work.\u00a0 That\u2019s not how anyone wants to live her life, yet you have to know your value to ask for what you\u2019re worth and plan for the future.<\/p>\n
Why do so many women get relegated to less-valuable status?\u00a0 First research continues to indicate there is rampant bias based on gender and salary, regardless of the field.\u00a0 Plus, unfortunately, many women are operating out of fear \u2013 fear of push back, even fear of rejection.\u00a0 For a lot of women, they are actually in denial about all the ramifications of not getting paid what they\u2019re worth.\u00a0 By denying the risks and overall impact of being undervalued, too many women are afraid to ask for what they want, which is a powerless position.<\/p>\n
In order to take back the power, you need to do your homework and research the numbers.\u00a0 By comparing, studying and researching standard salaries for positions in your particular field in your part of the country, you will know your value in your industry, your company, your particular line of work.<\/p>\n
To put it all in perspective of where we are today, women generally make 80 cents on each dollar that every man makes.\u00a0 It has been predicted that it will take 100 years for women to close that gap.\u00a0 We\u2019re not going to live that long, but our daughters and granddaughters will.\u00a0 As I see it, this is not only important for you, your well-being and your future, we have to keep taking steps forward as part of the legacy we want to leave behind.<\/p>\n
To learn more, visit\u00a0 https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/money\/2019\/04\/02\/national-equal-pay-day-2019-gender-wage-gap\/3298020002\/<\/a><\/p>\n