Pay Equality
The second Presidential debate last night sparked an meme about "Binders Full of Women". Aside from the awkward phrasing, I take no exception to this statement. Good job pushing to have women in your cabinet. But let's overlook that and focus on the fact that there were no women in Bain's senior management...
I'm going to tell you why. It's because women are rational creatures who want to have a life outside of work. We value our relationships above our paycheck and prestige. That is why women often don't move up into the ranks of "I have people for that." My recent exposure to the super Executive level has given me opportunity to ask some good life/work questions, such as "How many days a year do you travel?" (200+), "How many of you are on your second marriage?" (I asked rhetorically, but the majority are), "How many have had heart attacks?" (again, rhetorical), "How many of you have nannies to take care of your children?". You see where I'm going with this? I personally don't want someone else to raise my children (due to travel, or illness, or divorce) - no matter how sweet a corner office I have or how much power I wield. I want to be a soccer mom, an athlete, an active member of my community. This article says it much better than I can (also from The Atlantic), although it is a much longer read. So that addresses some of the women in powerful positions statement. But not pay equality. And here's what I think about that...
I'm currently in the process of a promotion/salary negotiation. When this promotion was first talked about 2 months ago, I would have happily accepted whatever offer they presented me with, as long as I thought it was fair. I get to do what I love, I am making a difference, and honestly, I don't want to be seen (or see myself) as greedy. I talked to some other women who've gone through this, and they feel very similar. For whatever reason, I just don't think women lobby as hard for the big pay raises or negotiate salaries that well. I bet it's because we get a bit more emotionally invested in it, but I can't prove it. It's not like anyone ever sat me down and discussed "how to negotiate a salary". I read some articles, but that isn't the same as first person advice.
On the other hand, the verbal approval didn't turn into a formal offer yet, and that gave me time to do lots of homework. So I'm going into this armed and ready now. I'm still unsure about my resolve to actually handle the confrontation, but I'm much better prepared. And one of my informational sources about salary negotiations offered me a job, so at least I have that to boost my confidence!
I'm going to tell you why. It's because women are rational creatures who want to have a life outside of work. We value our relationships above our paycheck and prestige. That is why women often don't move up into the ranks of "I have people for that." My recent exposure to the super Executive level has given me opportunity to ask some good life/work questions, such as "How many days a year do you travel?" (200+), "How many of you are on your second marriage?" (I asked rhetorically, but the majority are), "How many have had heart attacks?" (again, rhetorical), "How many of you have nannies to take care of your children?". You see where I'm going with this? I personally don't want someone else to raise my children (due to travel, or illness, or divorce) - no matter how sweet a corner office I have or how much power I wield. I want to be a soccer mom, an athlete, an active member of my community. This article says it much better than I can (also from The Atlantic), although it is a much longer read. So that addresses some of the women in powerful positions statement. But not pay equality. And here's what I think about that...
I'm currently in the process of a promotion/salary negotiation. When this promotion was first talked about 2 months ago, I would have happily accepted whatever offer they presented me with, as long as I thought it was fair. I get to do what I love, I am making a difference, and honestly, I don't want to be seen (or see myself) as greedy. I talked to some other women who've gone through this, and they feel very similar. For whatever reason, I just don't think women lobby as hard for the big pay raises or negotiate salaries that well. I bet it's because we get a bit more emotionally invested in it, but I can't prove it. It's not like anyone ever sat me down and discussed "how to negotiate a salary". I read some articles, but that isn't the same as first person advice.
On the other hand, the verbal approval didn't turn into a formal offer yet, and that gave me time to do lots of homework. So I'm going into this armed and ready now. I'm still unsure about my resolve to actually handle the confrontation, but I'm much better prepared. And one of my informational sources about salary negotiations offered me a job, so at least I have that to boost my confidence!
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