It has been reported that women are still making 77 cents to every dollar that a man makes. In a new study by Rutgers University, light is shed on women’s failure to negotiate at the beginning and throughout their careers. By women refusing to negotiate higher salaries, they start off at a disadvantage to earn more during their careers, and don’t catch up. Other studies point to different reasons that women make less in their lifetimes overall.
Women report that emotions and perception play into their failure to negotiate. They say that they don’t want to come off as pushy, aggressive, money-minded, are simply happy to be employed. What these women don’t realize is that employers expect to negotiate about salaries, and seeming aware of standards in the field is very important.
Another contribution to the gender wage gap is the fact that women tend to choose majors and occupations in fields that are generally not very high-paying. For example, child education is a popular major for females, but a female pre-school teacher can only expect to earn about $35,000. Technology and engineering based degrees can yield salaries that are much, much higher but are traditionally male-dominated fields. Many women refuse to enter some fields or take certain positions with the thought of future child-rearing in mind, but it is recommended that this should not be done. With something like a family so far in the future, why would you want to set lower work standards for yourself now?
Even in the same occupation, women earn less. Men are about four times more likely to ask for a raise or promotion than women are in any field, even in times of economic recession like this one. They are reported to have have higher occupational expectations for themselves. And yet despite the obvious benefits of asking for higher pay, many women fail to do so.
It is thought that perhaps many women believe the days of gender inequality are over. They don’t expect to be offered less money than their male peers, and so are willing to accept what they are offered. But a multitude of studies show that this simply is not the case.
So, if you are a recent college grad or soon will be, keep this in mind. Don’t be afraid to negotiate, because in the end the only person who can benefit from your efforts is you.
Source:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/13/negotiate-young-women-college-g…