The Wage Gap Makes Perfect Sense When Tech Executives Say What They Really Think About Women

[unblock]

1. a lot of it has to do with negotiation and perceptions thereof

the stereotype is that women aren't as good as men at negotiating their compensation.

i've heard some studies that back this up, e.g., that women are far more likely to simply accept the offered wage without challenging it. when i hear about these studies in the media, of course they don't explain that there might be discriminatory reasons behind this, that perhaps there are sexist reasons why women aren't taught to be effective negotiators.

worse, these studies in the media only serve to undermine women's negotiating position. good negotiators understand that a perception of weakness is terrible to a negotiating position. so out comes this study that basically tells hiring managers that women are weak negotiators and often take the first offer. what is a hiring manager going to do?

that's right, a hiring manager is more likely to lowball a woman and try to take advantage, offer the woman a compensation level that they know a man might find insulting.

of course it helps to actually be a good negotiator; naturally not all women fit the stereotype, but even excellent individual negotiators are at a disadvantage but anyone would be set back in asking for more money if the media was telling people you'll accept less.