Supporting the economic prosperity of women means supporting the economic prosperity and overall welfare of everyone . We have the opportunity to build things in a new way .
per year in lost wages , according to the Center for American Progress .
While the pandemic continues to be a cause for uncertainty for the future , we know that there will be a future , and we all have a decision to make : It will either be a future by default or a future by design .
Supporting the economic prosperity of women means supporting the economic prosperity and overall welfare of everyone . We have the opportunity to build things in a new way , a better way in which there ’ s more balance in women ’ s compensation , representation in the power dynamic and — the most precious of resources — time .
While the road to economic recovery , gender pay parity and equitable female representation may be long , there are things that employers and employees can do now to ensure a better future .
1 Review hiring practices . For everyone who is in a position of leadership , use your platform to bring parity . Consider what biases might exist in your hiring practices . Increase efforts to not just diversify candidates for positions but also the interviewers to avoid tendencies to hire the same type of person .
2 Prioritize equal pay . Review your payroll and ensure the women on staff are compensated appropriately compared to their male counterparts . A new hire ’ s salary history may include unequal pay , so do not rely on it when determining pay ( plus , it is prohibited by California labor laws to ask applicants about their salary history ).
3 Invest in child care . Work to create an organizational culture with empathy at the heart . This includes eliminating barriers to child care , which is one of the most effective ways to narrow the pay gap . Allow flexibility in workers ’ schedules so they don ’ t have to choose between leaving the workforce or taking care of family responsibilities .
There also are actions that women can actively take now to best position themselves ( and other women ) for their careers .
1 Advocate for women . Data shows the fastest track to leadership is when women advocate for other women . Programs like She Shares and California Women Lead are great outlets to flex mentoring muscles .
2 Volunteer . With so many people out of work , resumes are going to have gaps between jobs , and volunteering can fill those holes . It can provide a risk-free environment to learn new professional skills or keep your existing tool kit sharp and ready for new opportunities , as well as offer a new network of people that might be advantageous when re-entering the workforce at a similar level and pay . Plus , volunteering has been shown to reduce stress .
3 Finish that certificate or degree . A 2018 report from California Competes found that women with formal education beyond high school have higher earnings and can have better upward mobility . For many , transportation , child care and access to higher education were barriers to completing degrees that had been started or even considered as an option at all . Several local institutions , such as Los Rios Community College District , Sacramento State and the UC Davis School of Graduate Management , are offering more remote-learning opportunities than ever . These schools , as well as many others , are also providing wraparound services and community-building opportunities to help guide students . Finishing a certificate or degree while building a network of colleagues may be just the thing you need to jump back into the workforce .
The best way to shape the unknown is to take an active hand in building what we want it to be . Whether it is becoming more engaged in community , running for office , being present for family , building one ’ s skill set or taking a few moments each day to reflect , with a community working toward equality for women , the future will be brighter for everyone .
Amanda Blackwood is president and CEO of the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the first woman to head the organization in a full-time role in its 126-year history .
How are you contributing to eliminating the gender pay gap ?
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