Thrown Into Training

Okay, that’s a purposely provocative title. I don’t believe it for one second. But one of KnowHR’s commenters does. Steven R. said this in response to an article I wrote titled Women Make Less Than Men: 5 Things HR Needs to Do Right Now to End Pay Inequality:

Do some research and then come back and write something as dumb as this. Young men do make more money then young women. The stats are these for every $.92 cents a woman makes a man makes $1.

Instead of looking at the superficial level. Take a look at the actual facts. For example take a look at young doctors on average a young male doctor works 500 more hours, yes I repeat 500 more hours than young woman doctor.

Why because the fact is men work for longer hours and stay at jobs longer. So, if it starts an a young age for men and women are getting off to a slow start it’s no wonder why men make more money.

Most importantly women are happy with the money they are making. They feel like they earned that money and a majority stated they were fine with their salary. The question that needs to be asked is why is what someone makes so importnat? When it’s a fact that money does not equal happiness?

Are women happy with the money they make if it’s not fair? Should women just be happy that they’re getting paid, as Steven suggests? And isn’t it great to show, once again, that 93 percent of statistics are made up on the spot? (Where did that number come from that says male doctors work 500 more hours — per year? per week? per day? — than women doctors?)

What do you think?

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I find it interesting that this debate still rages.  Perhaps it’s only my personal experience, but I know for a fact that I worked more hours than any of my male counterparts at my last two jobs.  I also worked more hours than any of my superiors.  And, I stayed in the same job for 12 years, almost unheard of in this day and age. On top of that, I was paid more than any of my peers.

But what I find interesting is the idea that women make less than men because they want to do so. And the reason I find that interesting is because I’m waffling on that one myself.

Don’t get me wrong – I know what I’m worth.  I know how much I should make as a salaried employee and I know what I should make as a contractor.  The thing is, as being on unemployment for the last 3 months has taught me – I can make it on less.  But I think about taking  a lower-paying job because I liked the hours or the job focused on the parts of being a trainer that I love.

But once I do that – commit to a lower salary to gain other perks – am I screwing myself out of the job that I want to have eventually?  Am I telling other people that I am not worth as much?  That I don’t have as much drive or ambition?  Of course, I know I could go and make more money at another company.  But what if I really love this part-time gig that gives me more free time?

Any takers on these questions?  I’m sure that this question also applies to men.  I know that we’re taught that we have to keep reaching higher and make more and more money.  But in the end, can we say, I don’t need the money – I’d rather have more perks?