When was the last time you...
1. Thought about what you do on the job, the skills you use, your contributions, and the value you bring to your employer?
2. Compared your skills and responsibilities to those of others in your workplace and industry?
3. Consulted trade journals, career publications, or Department of Labor wage information to get a sense of salary ranges for someone of your qualifications within your industry, or in similar jobs in other industries?
4. Had a performance review and used it as an opportunity to discuss your responsibilities and the value of your skills to the company?
5. Asked for a raise if you feel you are being underpaid based on your duties and responsibilities?
6. Gathered information from supervisors and colleagues about the kinds of skills and training needed to move into better paying jobs in your company?
7. Networked with other people outside your company to broaden your knowledge of your occupation and trends in your industry including information about salaries, essential skills and training opportunities?
8. Sought training, special projects or other skill building opportunities that could lead to a better paying job?
9. Pursued opportunities at your current place of employment or with other firms?
10. Shared ideas and concerns about compensation issues with other employees in your workplace?
This checklist is designed as a general tool to provoke thought and open dialogue. Women who feel that their legal rights to equal pay are not being met should seek more information at the Womens Bureau.
Womens Bureau: Womens Bureau is an organization that is a part of the Department of Labor. It was founded in 1920 to win better wages, hours, and working conditions for working women. The Womens Bureau's mission statement says "It shall be the duty of said bureau to formulate standards and policies which shall promote the welfare of wage-earning women, improve their working conditions, increase their efficiency, and advance their opportunities for profitable employment." This website is very informational, containing statistics and data. This website is a wonderful site for women to find actual statistics and data on discrimination and the wage gap. This site also has many important links that give statistics and also a checklist for employees and employers to see if they are discriminating or being discriminated against.
Women's Bureau. "Working Womens Equal Pay". Publication Date Unknown. http://www.dol.gov/dol/wb/epcheck.htm May 2000.