What Should I Do If I’m Paid Less Than Male Co-Workers?
Although things have progressed a lot over the past decades, gender equality is still a major issue across the world – even in advanced countries like Australia. If you feel you’ve been the victim of any form of gender discrimination in the workplace, we’d recommend speaking with an employment lawyer to determine the best course of action.
In this article, we’ve covered one of the major gender inequality issues – the gender pay gap. The simple truth is that it’s illegal for a female employee to be paid less than their male counterparts for the same work. However, it’s not always that simple.
So, what can you do if you feel like you’re a victim of this?
- Ensure Your Assumptions Are Correct
For starters, you should speak with your co-workers to determine whether or not you’re truly a victim of gender inequality in the workplace. Unfortunately, this can be difficult due to the stigma associated with money and the unwillingness of people to discuss what they earn.
In this situation, though, you will find that most of your co-workers will be understanding of your situation. The best approach is usually to be open about your concerns and ask your colleagues if they’re willing to share their payment information to help you out.
- Figure Out Whether Laws Are Actually Being Broken
Now, the simple truth is that being paid less for the same work is against the law. It doesn’t matter whether the employer is actually paying you less because you’re a woman, or for some other reason – if you’re doing the same work, you should be paid the same.