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The Parental is Politcal

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

By Julie Marsh

Private sector wise, most companies I have worked for, discussing your pay with your coworkers is considered a firable offence, so to say that she should have been discussing and figuring this out is complete bullshit. I know I am underpaid, but it may have more to do with my lack of degree (at least that is what they would tell me) than the fact that I take tons of time off to deal with a kid who is sick from daycare.
All of it is bullshit, bullshit, bullshit.

Posted by: Amelia Sprout | Jul 08, 2008 12:35

I don't understand this case. They expect her to know something she had no way of knowing. Of course, in my experience most men DO compare salaries much more freely than women do, so perhaps the court made the mistake of thinking that women's culture is the same as men's.

Posted by: Suebob | Jul 08, 2008 13:08

I am conflicted in many ways. Bureaucracy - no; equal pay for equal work - yes. Where jobs are absolutely comparable, yes. Often positions / roles are not absolutely the same and comparison across the board is not reasonable.

I keep thinking of the disparity in salaries for a recent college grad with a highly-sought degree versus an employee with more experience, but who graduated at a time when the market was softer. Sometimes, an honest employer has to make an honest jump in compensation or risk losing valuable, trained employees.

Somehow I am chafing under both the Fair Pay Act and the interpretation handed out by the Supreme Court. Surely a compromise would be better.

Posted by: oktree | Jul 09, 2008 13:22

Not only do people not discuss their paychecks, many companies make it punishable for employees to do so. I work for a non-profit agency and have been there almost 10 years. Everyone there makes more per hour than I do. Why? Because the person who makes the salary decisions wants me to quit. I'm a single parent and my little, and I do mean little, paycheck is our only support. Additionally, they are trying to get a male co-worker of mine to quit by consistently misreporting his hours so his paycheck is always short. This started right after he insisted on being paid consistent with his new position. Something needs to be done. Not only should we be receiving fair pay, we should also not have to be afraid to ask to be paid fairly.

Posted by: Heidi M. | Jul 11, 2008 22:54

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