Growing Change
Structural and individual initiatives inform and influence each other to create change. As the structure begins to change at the state level through pay transparency laws, individuals in the form of employers and employees can propel this new era forward through persistent implementation and pressure. Likewise, in order to close the wage gap, the structure must continue to evolve until no employee is devalued based on their identity. Equal pay is a right.
Gaps in the Legislation
With the current momentum of pay transparency at the state level, one clear goal is the continued push for the passing and implementation of such legislation across all 50 states and globally. Amidst these laws, it is also important to be cognizant of how such laws may have gaps when it comes to the scope of disclosure they require from companies and how these laws are enforced.
Because the wage gap is created by an intersection of factors, it is important to standardize and strengthen the existing patchwork of state laws. Research has shown that employees are increasingly calling for access to their pay information. It is up to us as a society to take advantage of this momentum and create a lasting change in the workplace to close the wage gap before the end of the century.​
Education
To properly advocate for pay transparency, one has to first understand it and how it manifests in the real world. Learn about your local laws and how companies near you are responding.
Disclosure
Beyond encouraging all states to enact pay transparency laws, it is equally important to ensure that these laws disclose more than just pay. Disparities can exist across an employee's employment package.
Compliance
Surveys show that many companies engage in pay transparency for compliance rather than to change their culture of pay secrecy. Ensuring there is a system of enforcement will be key.
Training
Even well-intentioned pay transparency initiatives can miss the mark if employers aren't properly trained to discuss pay and implement transparency directives. Companies need support.
What to Do
Structural Level
Individual Level
State & Local Laws
Lobby for pay transparency laws in your state and in your county. Voting is crucial to making your voice heard. Encourage those in your community to raise awareness and bring issues of pay inequality to your representatives' attention.
Federal Legislation
Widespread protections often occur at the federal level. Such laws play an important role in landmark cases on equal pay. As the courts remain an important avenue for employees fighting to close the gap, advocacy for federal equal pay laws is crucial.
Company Policies
Employers: You have the power to change the culture of your company. Create trust and a system of communication with your employees. Employees: federal law gives you the right to discuss your pay. Legal help may aid you in getting equal pay.
Create a Conversation
Individual efforts can inspire a collective to take action. Sparking a frank conversation about pay in your industry can reveal disparities and highlight what work urgently needs to be done. Likewise, collectives help enforce the legislation.
