November 14 marks Equal Pay Day in the Netherlands. Still needed? Yes, unfortunately it does. Even in an economically highly developed country like the Netherlands, where we consider equality an important value, women still systematically earn less than men. Good that the attention is there, but focusing on the wage gap alone will not get us there. Tips for taking the reins yourself are also needed! In this article, which also appeared on vogue.co.uk, we talk about why Equal Pay Day is important as well as give three smart negotiating tips for more income.
Why is attention to Equal Pay Day so important?
It’s 2023, and still women are pulling the short straw financially. Women are 25% more likely to be in poverty than men, women have on average 40% less pension while we live years longer and thus need money longer. In the Netherlands, the wage gap is deep. Men are viewed differently than women. In professions where many women work, wages are getting lower and there is still a skewed distribution of care responsibilities within families. Steps have been taken, but we are far from there. That attention to equal pay is hugely important. Not just for the individual, the woman, but for society. Because aside from the fact that poverty costs society a lot of money, not having enough money causes enormous stress. So it goes beyond the paycheck, it’s about what kind of world we want to create and it’s about health.
Why is this day needed at all anno 2023?
Because old patterns are stubborn. Still men, even in the same professions and with the same experience, receive more pay than women. This is often blamed on women’s negotiating skills. It is true that men negotiate more often and more assertively, but it is ridiculous that companies do not guarantee that fair pay is given based on results, but that it depends on how assertive and extroverted someone is. The wage gap is a systemic problem that we must continue to stand up for and fight for.
Why has it not yet been possible to close the wage gap in the Netherlands?
Latest research was done: One in three Dutch people think women are better suited to take care of children, and those percentages have not changed over the past 20 years. It is more often men than women who think that way, though. These kinds of hopeless dinosaur ideas obviously do not help close the wage gap.
Are there differences in certain sectors? Where is the gap larger and where is it smaller? How is that possible? Besides the fact that more women work part-time than men, the wage gap can also be explained by the type of occupations. Men are more likely to work full time (but please let’s also change the conversation of paid versus unpaid work, because women tend to work less after having children, but perform significantly more unpaid work, in the household and as caregivers), and they tend to have type jobs in type sectors that pay better. Think managerial positions, and think about jobs in the financial industry. In healthcare and education, where many women work, it is more common to work part-time and salaries are also lower.
What will it take to make this happen?
Transparency within companies requiring companies to provide insight into wages. You do hear from women that when they casually hear what their male colleague deserves, that they take action, but this is too late. If companies were to make transparent which pay goes with which output, we could make great strides. In addition, we should talk about it more. Women with each other, but also with male colleagues.
What is the advice for women to improve their own situation?
Don’t wait for the company you work for to wake up, take control! Talk about your salary with your colleagues and/or friends. By sharing with each other what we earn, we discover a lot about what fair pay is. In addition: start negotiating. Women are more often modest and expectant, but negotiation pays off. Don’t wait until that annual conversation, but keep having the conversation with your supervisor throughout the year.
Three smart negotiating tips for increased income
1. Think of negotiation as relationship building, rather than difficult conflict. The moment you stand up for yourself and negotiate your worth, you thereby show that your supervisor has a strong personality on the team that you can send a message to!
2. Negotiation is about creating a win-win situation. Empathize with the other person. How does your effort, your expertise and your skills help the company you work for become better? This requires you to listen carefully, and let’s just say that as women we are very good at that.
3. Go practice! If you find negotiation exciting, practice with a friend or partner. Get comfortable with stating the amount you want, listing the right arguments and letting your interlocutor ask you questions and come up with counter arguments that your supervisor might also throw on the table.
