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1Glassdoor Study Finds Wide Worker Support for Closing Gender Pay Gap
2Nearly Everyone Wants Equal Pay
The Glassdoor study shows clearly that nearly everyone wants equal pay. In fact, 93 percent of U.S. adults say that women should make as much as men for similar work and experience. Surprisingly, 5 percent of women in the United States and Canada say that women should not be compensated equally for the same work and experience.
3Employees Don’t Seem to Find Fault With Their Employers
While most people agree that there is a gender pay gap, they think the issue exists outside their companies. Glassdoor found that 74 percent of respondents worldwide believe their employers offer equal pay. It’s worth noting, however, that women are far less likely than men to believe their employers offer equal pay for equal work.
4A Look at How U.S. Employees View Their Employers
When American men and women were asked if their employer offers equal pay for equal work, they were less likely than many of their counterparts in other countries to agree. In fact, 70 percent of Americans think that their employers are paying women fairly. That was notably lower than the Netherlands, where 83 percent of people believe their companies are fairly paying women for equal work.
5Men and Women Don’t Agree on Equal Pay
In the United States, men and women just can’t agree on equal pay. Glassdoor found that 78 percent of men believe their employers pay men and women equally, compared to just 60 percent of women. About a third of women say their employers are part of the wage gap issue, nearly doubling the number of men who said the same.
6Women Are More Concerned About Fair Pay
Women around the world are especially concerned with whether they receive fair compensation. About two-thirds of women in the United States say that they feel they’re fairly compensated for their jobs. One-third of female respondents say they should earn more. Men are more likely to believe they’re fairly compensated, with 73 percent saying they’re pleased with their compensation.
7Views on Pay Equality Don’t Vary According to Location
In every question Glassdoor asked, there’s a consistent tone—from the United States to Switzerland—among men and women. In general, men are less likely to see a gender pay gap issue at their employers and believe they’re fairly compensated. The percentage of women who see their compensation as unfair and believe a pay gap issue exists is strikingly consistent across the seven countries included in the study.
8Companies Can Learn a Thing or Two
The Glassdoor data includes some important factors companies could consider. In addition to offering equal pay, Glassdoor says companies should promote their fair-pay regulations. The study shows that 67 percent of U.S. employees will not apply for a job where they believe a pay gap exists between men and women. What’s more, 81 percent of women say they would definitely not apply for a job at an unfair workplace. That leaves a very small pool of qualified employees, if a company is believed not to offer fair pay to women.
9There’s an Age Component Here
Age is also a factor in whether a person will apply for a job when he or she knows a wage gap exists. In general, older people are more willing to apply for a job than younger people. In the United States, for instance, 81 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 24 wouldn’t want to work for an unfair employer, compared to 63 percent of those over the age of 55 who said the same thing.
10Here’s How Companies Can Address the Issue
Solving the pay gap may not be easy, but employees believe companies must do their part. In the United States, 45 percent of employees want to see new company policies to ensure wage equality. One-third of Americans want greater clarity into how pay raises and bonuses are calculated, and another third say pay transparency for all positions is critical. One in five American women say that females should “demand pay raises more frequently” to improve the pay gap.
11Workers Support Government Action
Employees agree that the government may also play a role in addressing the issue of wage gaps. Glassdoor says that 39 percent of U.S. employees believe government legislation forcing companies to pay equally, regardless of gender, is critical to ultimately closing the wage gap. Just 11 percent of Americans believe protests would address the issue.