Article provided by Amanda Augustine, Careers Expert at TopCV
Despite UK legislation mandating fair pay for the last 40 years, it has not been enough to prevent pay discrimination.
According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics, the gender pay gap between full-time employees has actually widened for the first time in six years. Also, there have been several high-profile pay-discrimination tribunals, including BBC’s Samira Ahmed and former TalkTalk executive, Rebecca Burke.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, consider the following tactics to tackle workplace inequalities.
Negotiate your position
According to several surveys, women are less likely than men to negotiate a promotion. If you feel you deserve a step-up, there are several ways to approach your manager:
Be prepared with a clear understanding of what you add to the business, as well as data regarding industry-relevant salary levels to justify why you deserve more than they’re offering.
Be confident, address each point firmly and be prepared to stand your ground. Never sell yourself short.
Salary questions during interviews can be difficult. If you’re asked what you were paid in your previous role, do not inflate your salary by lying, but also do not communicate complacency that suggests you’re satisfied being paid less than you’re worth.
Instead, use the question to shift the conversation towards your salary expectations; backed up, of course, with clear reasons as to why you deserve it.
Alternatively, when in the job, it is important to address incidences where you believe you deserve a pay rise. Just like tackling the question of being promoted, set up a meeting with your manager and confidently explain the ways you have contributed to the company’s success..
Choose a workplace where you’re valued
Recently, we’ve seen a lot in the press about women who are earning less than men in the same role. If you think this might be you, there’s a few things you can do. Firstly, if you work somewhere with more than 250 employees, check out your company’s pay gap on the government’s new gender pay gap service. Additionally, you can discuss with your boss or your organisation’s Diversity Manager about what men at your level are being paid.
Unlike some areas in the US, asking for a salary history at interviews is legal throughout the UK. But, remember, the kind of employer you want to work for will hire you – and pay you fairly – for your skills and experience, not your previous paycheque.
About the author
Amanda Augustine is a career advice expert at TopCV – the worlds largest CV writing service. She is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with nearly 15 years’ experience in the recruiting and career-advice industry. She’s also a proud mother of one.
