equal pay day, pay gap, wage gap

#Equalpayday Discounts Aren’t a Good Political Protest

Scroll down to read more!

#Equalpayday Discounts Aren’t a Good Political Protest

Scroll down to read more!
equal pay day, pay gap, wage gap

Table of Contents

Each year, Equal Pay Day marks the point at which women have matched men’s salaries from the previous year. This year it falls today, on April 4. Today you’ll read a lot about the size of the pay gap and how long it might take us to close it. You’ll read about Ivanka Trump tweeting out articles on the pay gap, what that means in light of her father, the president, working to dismantle wage protections. You’ll read about the map of wage disparities all over the world, which countries are making progress and which are moving backwards.

#Equalpayday Discounts Aren’t a Good Political Protest

And of course, you’ll read plenty of reactionary commentary by men who think the pay gap is a feminist myth.

https://twitter.com/IvankaTrump/status/849222875869577217

I don’t have much to say about Ivanka Trump’s tweets and I’ve written a lot about the pay gap in the past. So much so that this morning I woke up a bit worried that I wouldn’t have anything new to say.

This year’s Equal Pay Day, though, is a little different in the United States. Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In group has partnered with businesses all over the country to offer 20% discounts to women today, to recognize that women make, on average, 20% less than men. If women are structurally disadvantaged in the workplace, why not give them a 20% advantage as consumers? You can find a list of participating countries, by state, here.

But while this is a cute idea, one that’s sure to grab a few headlines and get women a few discounts, it’s not one that’s likely to make a big impression on decision makers. Nor is it one that truly challenges the structural factors that contribute to the pay gap.

An Equal Pay Day discount is a gimmick, meant to make it a little easier for women to get by in the marketplace despite the wage gap, not actually close it — it shifts responsibility for wage disparity away from employers to sellers. The discount means that some businesses “make up” for the disparity caused by other businesses (and perhaps themselves). And in the same way that the Lean In movement shifts responsibility from workers to employers by giving women tips on how to get around or push through workplace challenges, the Equal Pay Day discount, in helping women make their discounted dollar earned go a little farther, chooses “practicality” over protest, in a way that seems strange in 2017.

Only a month ago women organized a huge, international protest. On March 8, International Women’s Day, women all over the world walked out of work, or skipped it entirely, to attend protests. (On Workology we closed for the day in solidarity.) It’s important to note that this was an international strike and that plans for it began outside of the US and long before Trump’s presidential win. On the international level, it was not specifically a protest against his administration so much as it is against the system, though US organizers were of course bolstered by the strength of protests movements since Trump’s win.

That is, the Day Without Women was a direct protest of those structural factors which lead to the pay gap that initiatives like the Equal Pay Day discount don’t address. Doesn’t a corporate partnership campaign feel a little thin in the wake of A Day Without Women?

Did you like this post? Share it!

A Word From Our Sponsors

Ads help make Workology resources free for everyone. We respect your privacy. To see our Privacy Policy click here.

Recommended Posts

Managing Through Uncertainty And Leading With Integrity With Cara Brennan Allamano

Episode 411: Managing Through Uncertainty and Leading With Integrity With Cara Brennan Allamano

In this episode, we interview Cara Brennan Allamano, CHRO for Lattice, about how to manage teams through uncertainty....

8 Smart Ways to Raise Cash Quickly

Not everyone has the luxury or discipline to set aside extra funds for unforeseen events. However, when you encounter unexpected situations and your bank...

Navigating GPHR Recertification: Your Global HR Pathway

Navigating GPHR Recertification: Your Global HR Pathway

Uncover the path to GPHR Recertification. Dive into requirements, credit earning methods, and comparisons with other HR certifications. ...
GPHR vs SPHR: Decoding HR Certifications for Professionals

GPHR vs SPHR: Decoding HR Certifications for Professionals

Discover key insights on GPHR vs SPHR certifications: eligibility, exam details, prep tips and career paths in our comprehensive HR professional guide....

Episode 410: Conflict Management, Conflict Resolution, and Forgiveness With John Baldino From Humareso

In this episode, we interview John Baldino, Founder and President of HR consulting firm Humareso, speaking about conflict in the workplace....

Resources for Session Attendees of Digitizing Talent

Resources for conference session attendees of Digitizing Talent: Creative Strategies for the Digital Recruiting Age....

Get These #BlackFriday & #CyberMonday Deals For #HR Certification

I wanted to consolidate our Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals in one spot so that you can quickly see what's available. Snag yours...
Comparing the PHR vs PHRi HR Certification Exams

Comparing the PHR vs PHRi HR Certification Exams

Uncover the nuances of PHR vs PHRi Certification Exam for HR professionals. Learn which boosts your career prospects best in our detailed guide!...

Checkout Our Products

Ads help make Workology resources free for everyone. We respect your privacy. To see our Privacy Policy click here.

More From Workology

Managing Through Uncertainty And Leading With Integrity With Cara Brennan Allamano

Episode 411: Managing Through Uncertainty and Leading With Integrity With Cara Brennan Allamano

In this episode, we interview Cara Brennan Allamano, CHRO for Lattice, about how to manage teams through uncertainty.

Digital Recruiting: Shaping the Modern HR Landscape

Discover the transformation of digital recruiting, its impact on HR tech and how it's reshaping CEO perspectives on measuring human capital.

Job Jackpot: Navigating the Job Market in the Online Gambling Industry

Click on read more to open this post on our blog.
Comparing the PHR vs PHRi HR Certification Exams

Comparing the PHR vs PHRi HR Certification Exams

Uncover the nuances of PHR vs PHRi Certification Exam for HR professionals. Learn which boosts your career prospects best in our detailed guide!