Culture Shifting for Fair Pay Unburden the Black Woman –Fair Pay to Support Future Health

Fair pay is an underlying concern that tremendously impacts women’s health, especially women of color. According to the Black Women’s Health Imperative Fair Work Initiative? (BWHI FWI), Black women age 7.5 years faster due to systemic racism and discrimination. There is evidence to show chronic stress due to workplace trauma is a precursor to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other illnesses.

A personal story: This narrative strikes very close to home, as I witnessed my mother’s health decline significantly after a career in banking for more than 30 years, reaching a max salary of $23k annually. Her commitment to work and lack of self-care took a toll on her. She had a heart attack around 50, developed diabetes, was obese, had kidney failure, became dependent on dialysis, and eventually had to amputate a limb. As I saw her go through the pain of her lived experiences, I took notice and wanted to speak up for other women and make a change by amplifying the critical need for equal pay to sustain healthier families in the future.?

A September 2022 study shows women made $.58 for every $1.00 earned by white men. Then to take this a step further, women, especially Black women, bear a significant portion of the household expenses as it is difficult for her Black partner to find and get a job for many reasons, including blemished records due to the systemic circumstances around their youth.

If more allies stepped up to make changes in support of equal pay, it would eliminate many of the complicated concerns resulting from the lack of resources in marginalized minority communities.?

Self-advocacy is critical in realizing equal pay and flexible working conditions that promote women's health and well-being. Despite widespread support for equal pay, the gender wage gap remains pervasive, estimated at around 20% globally (International Labour Organization, 2019). To effectively advocate for yourself and receive fair compensation, it's vital to understand your own skills and value to your organization and your rights as an employee. This knowledge will empower you to negotiate confidently and make a persuasive case for the fair pay and working conditions you deserve. Achieving gender equality and women's economic empowerment in the workplace requires valuing the work of both women and men equally and providing equal pay for work of equal value.

One of the first steps in self-advocacy is researching the market value of your role and industry and comparable salaries for similar positions. This information can help you make a case for a pay increase or more flexible working conditions based on market trends and industry standards. It is also important to know company policies or programs that support fair pay and flexible working conditions, such as paid time off or flexible scheduling options. Understanding these resources can help you make a more informed case for why your request for fair pay or flexible hours is aligned with the company’s values and priorities.

In addition to clearly understanding your value, it's also important to have strong communication skills. Effective communication is a key factor in successful self-advocacy for fair pay and flexible working conditions that support women's health. Communicating your needs, listening to feedback, and engaging in productive negotiation with confidence are crucial in making a persuasive case for a fair wage and work environment that aligns with your values. In addition, strong communication skills strengthen your negotiation abilities and showcase your value to your organization.

It's also important to consider your negotiation style. Some people may prefer a more assertive approach in which they clearly state their needs and expectations, while others may prefer a more collaborative style, seeking to find a mutually beneficial solution through open dialogue. Regardless of your preferred style, remaining professional and respectful while advocating for yourself is important. This includes clearly articulating your case, actively listening to feedback, and being open to compromise while still upholding your core values and goals.

As women strive to achieve fair pay and flexible working conditions, self-care and stress management become critical components of the negotiation process. Chronic stress can take a toll on your health and well-being, so it's important to make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation. By taking care of yourself, you will be better equipped to advocate for yourself and negotiate for the pay and working conditions that you deserve. By taking care of themselves, women can be empowered to assert their worth and negotiate confidently for the pay and working conditions they deserve, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being and success in the workplace.

Performative activism is real. We need real allies to join forces to support the progression of women and to take action for #equalpay without hesitation

The future of women’s health is seriously impacted by the?unequal pay. Thank you Angelica Geter, DrPH, MPH for being at the forefront of this incredible research and providing such incredible resources for the community to #influence #change.

"Help women by acting as an ally to ensure there is support for equal pay to reduce the burdens carried by her."

~ Shavonne Reed, MBA, CVP, CWO on behalf of OPUA Agency & Future Health NOW Foundation

Source: https://fairwork.bwhi.org