The battle of the sexes is still being fought. Yes, sadly, income inequality is a reality in 2018. Let’s explore this topic a bit shall we?

 

The “Battle of the Sexes” event, happened in 1973, and 45 years later, women are still fighting for equality in pay.

 

Battle Of The Sexes MovieI just got finished watching the Battle of the Sexes movie. It is about the world-famous tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. This event was huge and watched by 90 million viewers around the world. Bobby Riggs was a bit of a media hound and although in the movie, he was portrayed to be creating this circus for publicity, his followers, and many promoters actually believed that his comments and slander against women to be true. They believed that men are better than women. Yes, it was a time when they thought a woman was best in the kitchen and the bedroom. Nevermind a serious conversation addressing income inequality for women in the workplace. This is where Billie Jean King took the bull by the horns.

This is a feel-good movie of sorts where you see the heroine’s journey from underdog to ruling the world (to some degree). If only this was the real catalyst for not only change but the main event in slaying income inequality in the workplace.

This tennis event was a big upset, where Billie Jean King won the match in three sets. It was great to see and this probably felt like a giant leap forward for women’s rights and feminism and well, to be honest, it was. So where are we today, 45 years later? Sadly, women are still fighting for equality and equal pay. It is my understanding that a big part of Billie Jean’s career was committed to fighting for equal pay for women. In 2016 it was said that women made 80% of what men were paid in the workplace.

The AAUW states that… “At the rate of change between 1960 and 2016, women are expected to reach pay equity with men in 2059.” Equality by 2059? Hey ladies, what are you bitching about, only another 41 years to go. Yes, that was in bad taste, and I apologize. This is not funny at all. It is actually a disgrace and I wonder why should it take 80+ years to see women as equals.

Here are a few interesting charts I found on the AAUW website.

Let’s talk progress and the fall of it. Today we have a president who shares “locker-room” talk on camera about grabbing women by the pussy and having no repercussions because he is wealthy. Beyond this, as the feminists start to march and protest this and many other topics related to equality, women are still hearing abuse and disgusting terms thrown at them because they are standing up and demanding equality.

The #MeToo movement has been working towards addressing the sexual harassment issues for over a decade and over the past year or two it has blown up on social media. Not only is the pay not equal, there is still sexual harassment happening in the workplace.

 

So what are we to do? How can we, not only address this, but commit to solving this issue?

 

These are the big questions, right? Like the president, I am sure I have catcalled ladies on the street and grabbed a butt or two in my youth (not in any career-related jobs but more in my dating years). Although I probably have said stupid things to women I worked with or went to school with early in my life (teen to early-twenties), as an older adult, for my work career, and as a business owner, things were much different. Maturity, it is a beautiful thing, right? Anyhow, I have worked with, respected, and actually hired a lot of women over the last 20 years I’ve been in business. For those, I was inappropriate to early on… I apologize for my ignorance and disrespect. There is no excuse. Sorry. Yes, I am flawed.

Over the last 20 years though, I have employed many great and talented women as freelancers and consultants. I can honestly say the pay was equal for both sexes. I paid my people pretty well, anywhere from $20/hour up to $100/hour depending on skill level, type of work they did, and the year they were hired. Often, I was happy to pay these prices because I was getting talented workers that helped me get outstanding results for my clients. None of them were harassed I am proud to say. Interestingly over this 20 year period, I have become a bit of a “feminist” fighting for women’s rights and pushing for income equality and better wages. I recommend that you join the fight as well. I share my own story to prove I have also screwed up, but also inspire you to do better if you too, have screwed up.

 

This whole topic makes me wonder… why is there still a struggle for income equality?

 

I personally didn’t charge different – because I knew the going rate for the “people” I hired and never thought twice about the sex of the person. So why is it that 80% less is the average pay for women today? God knows I cannot be that progressive or I never thought of myself as innovative in this area of business, but maybe I am. I am not looking for kudos or accolades here, but rather pondering how this is still possible in 2018? And why is it going to take another 40 years to fix? This isn’t about me, but I share my story because I am still trying to wrap my head around why the estimated time to reach true income equality in the workplace is some 40 years from now. It really blows my mind. So we know this is wrong, but what are we doing to fix it? Who is this generation’s, Billie Jean King? I hope there is one and in the comments someone shares some of the people fighting for this great cause and how they are doing it.

 

What are your thoughts? I, sincerely, want to know why you think it still is happening? I also want to hear your ideas on suggestions for fixing the problem in our culture.

 

I want to thank you for reading this today. I have asked a few women to write their side of this story, but I have not had anyone take me up on this tough topic, yet. If you would like us to cover more topics like this or get a women’s perspective, let us know. I hope you didn’t mind getting ideas from a male perspective.

 

Inspirational thoughts to move forward…

 

  1. For all the women out there… I wish you much success and hope that you can stay strong as we work towards a society that treats you as an equal to your male counterparts.
  2. To the men as co-workers, I know it can be tough spending 8 hours a day with women that are funny, smart, attractive, but I beg you to think twice before you make that sexual comment or touch inappropriately. Save it for after-hours on a date, but with respect, not in a harassing way.
  3. As a male CEO, owner, or leader hiring women, step up and become an innovator by offering equal pay and a non-threatening environment to work. I’ve said it a hundred times – people are everything and your culture can make or break your company. Create a company where women thrive and are appreciated and you will see profits rise and customer lifetime values increase because of your culture. Do it for ethical reasons first, but also know that you will see a return on your investment in the women you hire and treat well.

 

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