Gender in the WorkplaceGender in the Workplace

Internet Supernova CowboysInternet Supernova CowboysChaundra Olsen, Amalia Beshwate, Moses JimenezChaundra Olsen, Amalia Beshwate, Moses Jimenez

The ArgumentThe Argument

A Wage Gap exists between A Wage Gap exists between Men and Women. Women have Men and Women. Women have consistently been paid less than consistently been paid less than Men since Women entered the Men since Women entered the work force during WWII. work force during WWII.

““Sex discrimination isn't necessarily intentional; much of it happens Sex discrimination isn't necessarily intentional; much of it happens

through mindless bias and careless stereotyping. But however it happens, through mindless bias and careless stereotyping. But however it happens, it's unfair, illegal, and widespread. (Graff and Murphy)” it's unfair, illegal, and widespread. (Graff and Murphy)”

What is “Wage gap”?What is “Wage gap”?

““The wage gap is a statistical indicator The wage gap is a statistical indicator often used as an index of the status of often used as an index of the status of women’s earnings relative to men’s.  It is women’s earnings relative to men’s.  It is also used to compare the earnings of other also used to compare the earnings of other races and ethnicities to those of white races and ethnicities to those of white males; a group generally not subject to males; a group generally not subject to race- or sex- based discrimination.  The race- or sex- based discrimination.  The wage gap is expressed as a percentage wage gap is expressed as a percentage (e.g., in 2004 women earned 77% as much (e.g., in 2004 women earned 77% as much as men) and is calculated by dividing the as men) and is calculated by dividing the median annual earnings for women by the median annual earnings for women by the median annual earnings for men.median annual earnings for men.(InfoPlease)”(InfoPlease)”

It starts at an early ageIt starts at an early age

EVEN today in the modern, developed EVEN today in the modern, developed world, surveys show that parents still prefer world, surveys show that parents still prefer to have a boy rather than a girl. One to have a boy rather than a girl. One longstanding reason why boys have been longstanding reason why boys have been seen as a greater blessing has been that seen as a greater blessing has been that they are expected to become better they are expected to become better economic providers for their parents' old economic providers for their parents' old age. Yet it is time for parents to think again. age. Yet it is time for parents to think again. Girls may now be a better investment. (The Girls may now be a better investment. (The Importance of Sex, Ph.1,From Importance of Sex, Ph.1,From The The EconomistEconomist print edition). print edition).

Historical ExamplesHistorical Examples

Since the Equal Pay Act in 1963 the fight Since the Equal Pay Act in 1963 the fight for equality in the workplace is an ongoing for equality in the workplace is an ongoing dispute. dispute.

The following 2 court cases are examples The following 2 court cases are examples of how men were being paid more for the of how men were being paid more for the same positions than women were. The same positions than women were. The companies argued that men were entitled companies argued that men were entitled to higher pay than women. In one case to higher pay than women. In one case women were paid lower because they had women were paid lower because they had a “market rate” which the company based a “market rate” which the company based their salaries on regardless of the fact that their salaries on regardless of the fact that they were doing the same job as the men.they were doing the same job as the men.

Court CasesCourt Cases

SchultzSchultz v. v. Wheaton Glass Co.Wheaton Glass Co. (1970), (1970), U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ““Ruled that jobs need to be "substantially equal" Ruled that jobs need to be "substantially equal"

but not "identical" to fall under the protection of but not "identical" to fall under the protection of the Equal Pay Act. An employer cannot, for the Equal Pay Act. An employer cannot, for example, change the job titles of women example, change the job titles of women workers in order to pay them less than men.”workers in order to pay them less than men.”

Corning Glass WorksCorning Glass Works v. v. BrennanBrennan (1974), (1974), U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Supreme Court ““Ruled that employers cannot justify paying Ruled that employers cannot justify paying

women lower wages because that is what they women lower wages because that is what they traditionally received under the "going market traditionally received under the "going market rate." A wage differential occurring "simply rate." A wage differential occurring "simply because men would not work at the low rates because men would not work at the low rates paid women" was unacceptable.” paid women" was unacceptable.”

http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/00342/wage%20gap%202.htmlhttp://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/00342/wage%20gap%202.html

Top 5 Leading OccupationsTop 5 Leading Occupations

The following slide will show you a table in which The following slide will show you a table in which the top 5 leading occupations ranging from the top 5 leading occupations ranging from secretary to First Line Supervisor/Manager are secretary to First Line Supervisor/Manager are observed. It charts out the total employed men and observed. It charts out the total employed men and women in these leading occupations and, the ratio women in these leading occupations and, the ratio of women’s earnings to men’s earnings.of women’s earnings to men’s earnings.

Men in the top 5 leading occupations are the Men in the top 5 leading occupations are the highest paid with women only making a percentage highest paid with women only making a percentage of a males salary. Women are making anywhere of a males salary. Women are making anywhere from 68.5% to 92% of men’s earningsfrom 68.5% to 92% of men’s earnings..

Top 5 leading OccupationsTop 5 leading Occupationshttp://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0873003.htmlhttp://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0873003.html

22

Occ

up

ation

s

(in thousands)

Percent Women's Ratio of

women median  

  usual weeklywomen's earnings

  earnings1  

Total Total    to men's earnings

employed employed      

(women)(men and women)      

Secretaries 2,570 2,657 96.7 550 92

Elementary and middle school teachers 1,772 2,206 80.3 776 84.6

Registered nurses 1,651 1,800 91.7 895 86.8

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides 1,113 1,261 88.3 383 91.2

Cashiers 1,016 1,355 75 313 82.4

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support 1,001 1,441 69.5 636 80.3

First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers 985 2,246 43.9 505 68.5

StatisticsStatistics

Statistics have proven time and time Statistics have proven time and time again that men consistently get paid again that men consistently get paid more than women regardless of the more than women regardless of the Equal Pay Act of 1963.Equal Pay Act of 1963.

“ “If you are a woman working full If you are a woman working full time, you will lose between $700,000 time, you will lose between $700,000 and $2 million over your working and $2 million over your working lifetime -- just because of your sex.lifetime -- just because of your sex.(Graff and Murphy)” (Graff and Murphy)” htht

Potential losses for a womanPotential losses for a woman

““A high school graduate loses $700,000.A high school graduate loses $700,000. A young woman who A young woman who graduated from high school last spring and went straight to work graduated from high school last spring and went straight to work would, over her lifetime, make $700,000 less than the young man would, over her lifetime, make $700,000 less than the young man who graduated next in line.who graduated next in line.

A college graduate loses $1.2 million. A college graduate loses $1.2 million. A young woman who A young woman who graduated from college last spring and went right to work would, graduated from college last spring and went right to work would, over her lifetime, make $1.2 million less than the young man who over her lifetime, make $1.2 million less than the young man who received his diploma next to her. received his diploma next to her.

A professional school graduate loses $2 million. A professional school graduate loses $2 million. A young A young woman who got a degree in business, medicine, or law would, woman who got a degree in business, medicine, or law would, over her lifetime, make $2 million less than the young man at her over her lifetime, make $2 million less than the young man at her side.(Graff and Murphy)”side.(Graff and Murphy)”

Losses for a High School Losses for a High School Graduate Graduate http://www.wageproject.org/content/gap/costs.phphttp://www.wageproject.org/content/gap/costs.php

Losses for a College GraduateLosses for a College Graduatehttp://www.wageproject.org/content/gap/costs.phphttp://www.wageproject.org/content/gap/costs.php

Statistics Statistics http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/00342/wage%20gaphttp://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/00342/wage%20gap

%202.html%202.html

Statistical EvidenceStatistical Evidencehttp://stats.bls.gov/cps/cpswom2001.pdfhttp://stats.bls.gov/cps/cpswom2001.pdf

““Decades ago, women used to hear that it was because women weren’t Decades ago, women used to hear that it was because women weren’t as well-educated as men, hadn’t worked as long as men, didn’t work as as well-educated as men, hadn’t worked as long as men, didn’t work as hard as men, or really didn’t need the money because they were just hard as men, or really didn’t need the money because they were just working until they got married. That’s no longer true. For decades, women working until they got married. That’s no longer true. For decades, women have been graduating from college at the same rate as men —and have have been graduating from college at the same rate as men —and have even surpassed men in recent years. Women work as hard as men. even surpassed men in recent years. Women work as hard as men. Women are often supporting children, and maybe a disabled or Women are often supporting children, and maybe a disabled or unemployed husband, and need the money just as much as men do. unemployed husband, and need the money just as much as men do. (Graff and Murphy) ”(Graff and Murphy) ”

The Equal Pay Act was passed June 10, 1963 and said that it was illegal The Equal Pay Act was passed June 10, 1963 and said that it was illegal to pay women lower rates for the same job strictly on the basis of their to pay women lower rates for the same job strictly on the basis of their sex. sex.

“ “ Women have made enormous progress in the workforce Women have made enormous progress in the workforce since the Equal Pay Act, but the stubborn fact remains since the Equal Pay Act, but the stubborn fact remains that four-and-a-half decades later, the basic goal of the that four-and-a-half decades later, the basic goal of the act has not been realized (Thinkquest.com)”act has not been realized (Thinkquest.com)”

http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/00342/wage%20gap%202.htmlhttp://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/00342/wage%20gap%202.html

Quotations

Where is the wage gap at Where is the wage gap at today?today?

““the wage gap stands at 23 the wage gap stands at 23 cents. Women working full time cents. Women working full time -- not part-time, not on maternity -- not part-time, not on maternity leave, not as consultants -- still leave, not as consultants -- still earn only 77 cents to a full-time earn only 77 cents to a full-time working man's dollar.(Graff and working man's dollar.(Graff and Murphy)” Murphy)”

Wage Gap In Tulare CountyWage Gap In Tulare County

We went to We went to www.wageproject.orgwww.wageproject.org and calculated what a 30 year and calculated what a 30 year old female Credit Analyst in the Finance Industry with a old female Credit Analyst in the Finance Industry with a Bachelor’s Degree would make in equivalence to A male with the Bachelor’s Degree would make in equivalence to A male with the same age and qualifications. Below is our findings.same age and qualifications. Below is our findings.

You currently make You currently make 76%76% of what the average White of what the average White Non-Hispanic Male makes with your same job title Non-Hispanic Male makes with your same job title in the county you provided.in the county you provided.

After adjusting for age, education, and industry, you After adjusting for age, education, and industry, you currently make currently make 78%78% of what your corresponding of what your corresponding White Non-Hispanic Male coworker makes.White Non-Hispanic Male coworker makes.

Over the next 35 years, you will earn Over the next 35 years, you will earn $403,321.57 $403,321.57 lessless than your corresponding White Non-Hispanic than your corresponding White Non-Hispanic Male coworker. Male coworker.

Over your entire working life, Over your entire working life, discrimination will discrimination will cost you $518,556.30cost you $518,556.30

Your job in the location provided is Your job in the location provided is 40% male and 40% male and 60% female60% female..

How to stop wage How to stop wage discriminationdiscrimination

Sex discrimination is far more entrenched Sex discrimination is far more entrenched in the American economy than most people in the American economy than most people realize. And it won't stop unless, with the realize. And it won't stop unless, with the help of each other and of sympathetic men, help of each other and of sympathetic men, women act. We must prove to American women act. We must prove to American employers that we will not accept the depth employers that we will not accept the depth and breadth of wage discrimination within and breadth of wage discrimination within our own workplaces.By chipping away at our own workplaces.By chipping away at one deeply embedded form of one deeply embedded form of discrimination, we can also tear down discrimination, we can also tear down bigotry and bias based on race, religion, bigotry and bias based on race, religion, sexual orientation, age, and physical ability. sexual orientation, age, and physical ability. We can transform America into a society of We can transform America into a society of people who genuinely value and respect people who genuinely value and respect one another. (Graff and Murphy)one another. (Graff and Murphy)

Works CitedWorks Cited

Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. Highlights of Women’ss Highlights of Women’ss Earnings in 2001Earnings in 2001. May 2002. 12 July 2007 <http://stats.bls.gov/cps/cpswom2001.pdf>. . May 2002. 12 July 2007 <http://stats.bls.gov/cps/cpswom2001.pdf>.

"Gender Issues." "Gender Issues." InfoPleaseInfoPlease. 15 July 2007 . 15 July 2007 <http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0873003.html>. <http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0873003.html>.

"The Importance of Sex." "The Importance of Sex." The EconomistThe Economist. 12 Apr. 2006. 12 July 2007 . 12 Apr. 2006. 12 July 2007 <http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=6800723>. <http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=6800723>.

Murphy, Evelyn, and E.j. Graff. "Gender Wage Gap: are You Paid as Much." Murphy, Evelyn, and E.j. Graff. "Gender Wage Gap: are You Paid as Much." WomensMedia.ComWomensMedia.Com. 12 July 2007 <http://www.womensmedia.com/new/Murphy-. 12 July 2007 <http://www.womensmedia.com/new/Murphy-Gender-Wage-Gap-losing.shtml>. Gender-Wage-Gap-losing.shtml>.

Murphy, Evelyn, and E.j. Graff. "The Wage Gap." Murphy, Evelyn, and E.j. Graff. "The Wage Gap." The Boston GlobeThe Boston Globe. 9 Oct. 2006. 12 . 9 Oct. 2006. 12 July 2007 <http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/July 2007 <http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/10/09/the_wage_gap/?page=3>. 2005/10/09/the_wage_gap/?page=3>.

"The Wage Gap." "The Wage Gap." InfoPleaseInfoPlease. 12 July 2007 . 12 July 2007 <http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0763170.html>. <http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0763170.html>.

"The Wage Gap." "The Wage Gap." ThinkQuestThinkQuest. 12 July 2007 . 12 July 2007 <http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/00342/wage%20gap%202.html>. <http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/00342/wage%20gap%202.html>.

"What are the Costs of the Wage Gap?" "What are the Costs of the Wage Gap?" Wage Project.OrgWage Project.Org. 12 July 2007 . 12 July 2007 <http://www.wageproject.org/content/gap/costs.php>. <http://www.wageproject.org/content/gap/costs.php>.

"What Has the Wage Gap Cost You?" "What Has the Wage Gap Cost You?" Wageproject.OrgWageproject.Org. U.S. Census 2000 Special . U.S. Census 2000 Special EEO File. 12 July 2007 <http://www.wageproject.org/content/gap_calc/>. EEO File. 12 July 2007 <http://www.wageproject.org/content/gap_calc/>.