The Women's Electronic
Communications and Action Network
Legislative Priorities
Colorado Women's Legislative Scorecard
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Recognize the wage gap exists.
- Don't be in denial. Women, regardless of economic or
educational status, experience pay discrepancies.
- Be mindful that your point of entry on the wage scale
affects your pension, promotions and pay raises.
- While laws exist to combat pay inequity, personal
awareness and education can help correct the problem early.
Research Wages in your field.
- Search out job-specific salary surveys in your chosen
field. Professional associations, trade journals, headhunters, women's organizations, plus
local and state commissions for women are resources. Look on the Internet, at your local
library, in business schools and in the want ads.
- Request that your company provide general wage categories
or salary ranges for different positions.
- Join a search committee for another job your company is
trying to fill -- this may give you salary information which may be useful.
Rehearse your message.
- Practice saying, "I'm worth more than that."
Then use it! Let your value be known. Speak to the skill, effort, responsibility and
working conditions of your job.
- Use strong words such as lead, manage, execute and
implement.
- Describe your value and contributions. How much money did
you save the business? How many problems did you resolve? How many positive evaluations do
you have?
Reorganize the workplace.
- Talk to other women in your company and gather support. If
you feel underpaid or undervalued, others do, too.
- Remind others that fair pay practices are good for
business: they attract and retain the best employees.
- Unionized workers experience less of a wage gap. If you
are not in a union, consider joining one. Contact the Coalition
of Labor Union Women or the AFL-CIO.
---- Provided by the National Committee on Pay
Equity
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