By ESTHER RAMOS
“Any woman that signs a contract to work for a company, knowing they will pay her less than her male counterparts deserves what she gets.”
Well, that’s what is sounds like in my head anyway. I know it’s a little Trump-ish.
Let me rephrase. What are these women thinking? Who are they? Why are they signing on to be manipulated? Is it voluntary? Or are they somehow coerced?
These are mostly smart and educated people, so I’m assuming they’re not being tricked and hoodwinked into taking positions and compensation packages that are below their credential levels. On the other hand, maybe that’s why this sort of imposition has never been attempted on me. I have no credential level.
Most of the work I’ve done, since my first job building aluminum frame-patio doors and screens, I have done mostly men’s jobs: building fiberglass boats, finishing cement, roofing, (both redwood and tile) land maintenance, truck driving, etc.,etc., and throughout its never happened that I’ve been offered less than men who had my skill.
At the milk processing plant, I was the entire night crew. Took the whole place apart cleaned and vatted all pipes, lines, the pasteurizer, tanks, and all, rebuilt it all, changed my clothes and went home. Made a boat load of cash. Equal to the guys. Those who hired me untrained for the job, came from Vegas, so they didn’t know me at all, and yet offered me the same package as the guy that was training me. Easy lemon squeezy.
Ok. back to my point. As long as some of us are still letting employers get over on us, some of them will continue to do so. Stop being the victim. just stop.
Go into the interview armed with information about the job, and about the pay that comes with your education and experience levels. Don’t allow your self to be out-maneuvered by the suit behind the desk. Be sure you actually are qualified. Then go get’em.
My daughter, who can build a roll-top desk, owns her own cabinet and door company, and believe me, when she, at 5’ tall, goes in to measure out a job for custom cabinets and one-of-a-kind-crown moldings, she gets her share of odd looks. But she knows she’s the very best in her field for at least 150 miles around, so it doesn’t bother her, and she gets paid what she’s worth.
