Pay Disclosure: Obligation or Choice?

"Being confident and believing in your own self-worth is necessary to achieving your potential." -Sheryl Sanberg

While the ratio of male to female CEO's and powerful business-persons in America is certainly not equal- today, we are seeing more and more females having an immense impact and influence in the public sphere. With that being sad, we are also hearing more and more about the gender wage gap. 

I, personally, don't necessarily disagree or agree with the gender pay gap statistics. I say that considering evidence on both sides of the argument being much less objective and circumstantial than it should be in order to find out what really is going on. Regardless- this blog isn't about the gender pay gap and whether or not it exists.

When news broke last week that Hoda Kotb will, allegedly, be earning millions less than her creepy predecessor, Matt Lauer, as a co-anchor of the "Today Show," Sunny Houstin and Joy Behar, on "The View," shared their on what should be done to combat this gender pay gap:

First, Joy Behar stated, "There should be a law about that...everybody should know what everybody is making." Then, quick, fast, and in a hurry, guest co-host of the day, Greta Van Susteren, forthrightly rebutted with the stance that people should be allowed privacy when it comes to their income if they choose to. Soon after Sunny Houstin piggybacked of Behar's initial statement saying, "If women share that information with each other...it makes us all more powerful."

I have to say, I'm with Greta on this one. First and foremost, talk about government intrusion- and not even just government, but intrusion on multiple fronts. If there is a law saying it would be illegal for me to withhold my rate of pay or salary with others I work with, that is not only impeding on my privacy, big time, but it's just criminalizing yet another pointless thing all in the name of fighting against something that no one can necessarily prove or disprove.

Secondly, pulling the womanhood card is so fallacious when it comes to this matter. Yes, if you choose to tell your girlfriend or co-worker what you make so that you both can make sure they are paying you equally, then more power to you. I happen to not be a fan of telling anyone what's in my pockets. Also, Houstin mentioning women sharing their salaries with one another has absolutely nothing to do with the gender pay gap, because, uh, their both women. So, I guess I was a little perplexed on how her statement even tied in, period, to this story about Kotb's and Lauer's pay difference. I'm guessing it was just to plant a little seed for the masses, who knows.

Nonetheless, no one, male nor female, should be obligated or forced to share such personal and private information with anyone. It's a slippery slope: "Show your income with others to make sure you're getting paid the right amount, because we can't trust these employers," then, "Share your medical records with others to make sure you're being diagnosed accurately, because you know we can't trust these doctors." I mean, it may seem extreme, but you have to think about the consequences of allowing more and more government control over the private information that we as citizens of America want to right to either withhold, or share, if we choose to.

So, what's the answer to making sure you're not being low-balled by an employer? Ask for, or demand, what you believe you're worth. Period. As a post-grad, I know the struggles of looking for a job, trying to jump start a career, and making sure you're not being played by these little janky companies that want your mind, body, and soul for $10/hour. I get it, it sucks. It would be nice to know what other people are making, but that's what sites like "Glassdoor," are made for. For employees, or previously employees, to choose to share what they like(d) and/or didn't like about a position or company, and even share their own salary, benefits, etc. if they desire. 

So, do your research. Ask the employer what they require out of you. Then, do more research. Do everything you have to do, be assertive and confident, and ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT! Does asking mean receiving? No. Is the job is an opportunity you can't pass up? Go ahead and take a little less if you choose to. Prove that you got it. Then...ask again. Either they're going to eventually give you what you want, or you're going to take your time, talent, commitment and expertise elsewhere. Do not let up, and don't give in.

And that's a word hunny.

Signed,
MOTS