Wear RED on Equal Pay Day

Wear RED on Equal Pay Day to symbolize how far women and minorities are "in the red" with their pay!

By Karen K Needham

Recognize Equal Pay Day on March 14 to symbolize how far women are “in the red” with their paychecks. This is the point into the new year that a woman must work to earn the wages paid to a man in the previous year. The current state of the gender pay gap: 83% for full-time workers and 77% for all workers (including part-time and seasonal).

In 2021, median annual earnings in the U.S. for men working full time was $61,664 compared to just $51,021 for women, according to the most recent census data.

Effective January 1, 2023, the Rhode Island Equal Pay Law prohibits wage discrimination on the basis of the protected class (race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, or country of ancestral origin) and prohibits wage history inquiries by employers and barring of wage discussions among employees. (RI Gen. Laws Sec. 28-6-17 et seq.). (Rhode Island Equal Pay/Comparable Worth: What you need to know, 2022) (RI Gen. Laws Sec. 28-6-18 – Wage Discrimination Prohibited)

Rhode Island ranking with other states: (29 out of 50)

Average Male Salary: $60,513

Average Female Salary: $48,444

Further information:

• Pay Equity Act Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, September 2021
• Congress should pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would update and strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963; the Pay Equity for All Act prohibits employers from using salary history to set pay; and the Fair Pay Act requires employers to provide equal pay for jobs of equivalent value.
• Women, advocate for yourselves. If a prospective employer cannot show that women and men are paid equally - it makes sense to look elsewhere.
• Women who are paid less than men must discuss the problem with their employers. If discrimination persists, file a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Sources:

The Simple Truth about the Pay Gap (aauw.org)

https://ww3.aauw.org/fairpay/

Facts Over Time | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)

Rhode Island Amends Pay Equity Law (natlawreview.com)