Women are well aware of the wage gap. But what can they do about it? Collectively, it turns out, a lot. Ladies, non-binaries, WOC, all folk, here are ways to say you are worth every penny.
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90 days
When you’re settled into a new job, but were over-eager and low-balled yourself at the offer, say “I have done this job for three months, my trial/training/initial period is over. I love it here and hope to stay, with a 15% pay increase.”
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Not optional
If they say no, ask again later, “Today is my 120th day working at this fine establishment, it’s time for the pay to be this much.”
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Embrace Opportunities to Do More
When you are asked to do more, say “Yes, I am happy to take on additional responsibilities, in exchange for additional pay.”
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Don’t Give In
When they say no but still want you to do more, say “I am not available at this time.” Wait two weeks, offer again to do more with additional pay.
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Let Me See Your Check Stub
Find a co-worker who is paid more than you and compare your skills. Then, say “I will require the same salary as Fred because we have been doing the same job and performing equally for 30 days.”
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Parlay Job Offers
Comb through job boards, interview and get the offer so you can say, “Hermes is offering me twice my current wage.”
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Turn Down Offers.
“It’s a great job, but the pay isn’t where it needs to be.” Period.
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Take This Job and Shove It
If you asked five times and they still put you off: quit! While it wasn’t fair to you, the next person will have a better chance of getting a fair wage. Just Airbnb your place until you find something else.
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Talk To My Secretary
No contracts? Write your own. Write your boss a memo that guarantees you a specific wage increase within a specific amount of time and make them initial/sign it. If they don’t sign, leave.
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I Do Everything and I Get Nothing
Are you constantly overworking yourself but feel invisible because your workplace doesn’t conduct a performance review? Do your own. Track your department’s performance and total all the numbers/tasks/productivity for yourself and your team. Apply the logic that if your department increases by a certain percent, so do your wages.
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Pokerface
Get into the habit of applying for jobs, for no reason. Rewrite your resume to include keywords from the job descriptions and make compelling cover letters that make HR feel foolish not to talk to you. Even if you don’t want it, interview and make it a game to get the offer. Then, turn them down. Tell them explicitly that the pay is too low. Do this as often as possible as a public service for women everywhere.
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Plan a Vacation
Use your paid sick leave days as the vacation bonus you should have gotten.
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Break The Rules
If you sign agreements preventing you from discussing your pay, or from seeking other employment in your field, it may be legal but it isn’t right. In the future, we will have better civil rights and the law will guarantee equal pay. One day, the people who made us sign away our right to seek equal employment will look like monsters.
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Be Fearless
Some people get paid millions to build lego fortresses, so you can ask for five more dollars per hour for what you do and it is not crazy, no matter what anybody says.
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Be Funny
If your boss doesn’t pay well, make fun of them. It takes away any intimidation from the situation, bonds with co-workers and gives you the confidence to find better pay.
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Look Your Best
Dress better than your peers. Ideally, better than your supervisor. If your credit cards are maxed out from a low-paying job, learn to sew and make yourself outfits on your days off. Subconsciously people respect you more the better you look, and the less you have to make a case for yourself, the easier it will be to get your asking salary.
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Assess Your Male Peer Working Relationships
If you are more experienced than your male co-workers, outperform them, and/or take over responsibilities for them regularly without compensation, do not continue to do this. Request additional pay.
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Female Bonding
You hate your co-worker “Karen who wants to speak to a manager,” but try to find something in common with her because you could lift each other one day.
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Imitate The Guys
Notice how guys will say things with confidence, regardless of if what they are saying is correct? Do this at least seven times a day. Make declarative statements in a projected, confident voice. After 3-5 days, consciously remove any questioning tone from your work-related speech. Now walk straight in and tell them to give you a raise.
personal fable 