Comments on: We Can Haz Equal Pay

By: Karla Porter

Karla Porter — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 08:46:33 +0000

GL — You sure summed it up. If only we ran the world =)

By: GL HOFFMAN

GL HOFFMAN — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:22:09 +0000

Karla—good post. To me it all comes back to one word: respect. If business leaders really understood that one simple word and how EVERYTHING they do, say or agree to either grows it or diminishes it. Equal pay for equal work or I should say unequal pay for equal work is a sign of a disrespectful workplace.

By: Karla Porter

Karla Porter — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:53:13 +0000

Dan, please don't be nervous. This isn't a place for male bashing it is for community and respectful dialog, I'm glad you decided to be a part of it. Your question is especially interesting to me. You come with a perspective I am little familiar with. I have no idea if there is a gender based disparity in pay in Australia. However, there is here. Women earn about 77 cents to the US dollar. It is a huge issue and one women (and minorities) can't seem to shake. Of course there are women who do earn as much as their male counterparts but that's not the norm.

Your statement is brilliant... "I can't understand how/why people with same skills and experience would get paid differently".

Me either...

And I've also never seen a policy mandating a separate pay rate.

We have a lot in common. Thanks so much for stopping by, come back again soon =)

By: dannuroo

dannuroo — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:40:47 +0000

Always an interesting topic. I feel nervous (OK scared) typing here. Can I ask one question though? Who is the war against? Who is denying the "seat at the table?" Men? or all society? I'm not stirring the pot, I just need to understand

I can't understand how/why people with same skills and experience would get paid differently, maybe I'm just nieve? But I've also never seen a policy mandating a separate pay rate either.

By: Karla Porter

Karla Porter — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:22:27 +0000

Hey Maureen, this is a great conversation that I hope continues to gain steam. Actually I don’t need women to rule the world though, I need them to be respected as co-rulers for the talents they bring to the table as business partners and leaders and not treated as coffee fetchers and errand girls. XXOO Karla

By: maureensharib

maureensharib — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:23:56 +0000

@karlaporter You would think - but don't get discouraged. This is a tough topic - females who want to speak out don't for fear of retaliation in the workplaces of the jobs they need the paycheck from and (most) males don't because...why? It profits them not to! Why give legs to a subject that deserves it if it's going to take money out of your pocket somewhere down the line?

It's a catch-22 women are caught in. Most women live hand-to-mouth and are afraid to rock the tiny boats of their security in a mighty and fearful sea.

Believe me, there are a lot of sisters sitting on the sidelines thinkin' "You go, girl!" For those of you reading this, and you want to do something, pass the word along in the best way you can - if you're fearful someone might sabotage your own right to speak out create an anonymous Internet persona and point your readers to this subject. The important thing is that you do something because if you don't this issue is going to go on and on and on and on and you, your daughters, your granddaughters, your great granddaughters and on and on and on will be affected.

The fight is over only when it leaves us. I don't think we've lost the war - maybe some battles - there is no shame in that if we continue the campaign. Churchill said:
“In war, resolution; in defeat, defiance; in victory, magnanimity.”

What a wonderful, magnanimous world it would be if women ruled it.

By: Karla Porter

Karla Porter — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:43:04 +0000

@maureensharib Thanks for starting this, the importance cannot be overstated. You would think between ere and here it would get a lot of attention, instead it's getting apathy... what's wrong with our gender? Maybe it's us? Maybe the fight is over and we lost and some of us can't accept it?

@imjustagoyle I hope it wasn't an expensive La Perla or even Victoria's S. I'm a peace, love and happiness girl too. That's why I love you.

@Shennee Hillary couldn't pull it off. She still hasn't figured out how to manage public perception. Of course, it's uncharted territory so I'll cut her some slack. I'm disappointed though. She ticked me off when she stayed with Bill for personal and professional gain to appeal to conservative dems.

By: shennee

shennee — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:31:50 +0000

Another Great Post Karla~
This topic really get's me "fired up". Hillary Clinton put 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling, but we need to shatter it together.
Let's keep this converation going! We need to lead to change, and change to lead...
Well done

By: Tweets that mention We Can Haz Equal Pay | KARLA PORTER | Human Capital & New Media -- Topsy.com

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:50:44 +0000

[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Karla Porter, Karla Porter, Karla Porter, Wendy Jacob, MaureenSharib and others. MaureenSharib said: @marenhogan Join in the outcry. (If you dare.) http://bit.ly/7JqcB3 […]

By: imjustagoyle

imjustagoyle — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:17:35 +0000

I'm burning my bra as we speak, Karla!

Seriously though, my mother was always adamant about the fact that I be savvy enough to rely only on myself. She didn't want my life to revolve around having a man because in her life, they hadn't done jack. She taught me the lesson early that men don't like it when you say they aren't playing FAIR. She taught me to stand up for myself and not to apologize for it. If the men don't like it, point out how UNFAIR they are being and watch the atmosphere change.

Well, it's not 100% true in all situations but I have found that in most cases, it works. I have never been apologetic about being aggressive in business. I'm a peace, love & happiness gal but you mess with my money or my future and we're gonna go rounds.

Great post, Karla! I think some women need a reminder.