Everyone deserves fair and just pay for the services they render to their employer. But what happens when you realize that you are being underpaid for your work based on your gender?
Under the state of Washington’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act, employers are prohibited from basing their employees’ pay and career advancements on gender. Thus, if you believe your gender has something to do with the pay disparity at work, then you may have a compelling case against your employer.
Here are common signs that you could be facing wage discrimination based on your gender.
You are doing the same or more, but earning less
Has your workload increased since you joined the organization but with no pay rise? Have colleagues of the opposite gender in the same job group also experienced a change in workload but with additional pay? Are you, for example, a woman doing the same work as your male coworkers but for less pay?
If this is the case, then chances are your employer underpaying you based on your gender.
New hires are earning more than you
If your employer has an opening for a role similar to yours, and they are offering more pay than you are currently taking home, this could be indicative that your gender is playing a role in your pay. Unless there is a significant difference in skill requirement for the role on offer, you can have a strong case for a pay rise.
Being underpaid at work on grounds of your gender can be quite demoralizing. If you believe you are not getting what you deserve for your input, find out how you can address the issue with your employer.
