Its 2014. Why are we still debating about equal pay for women in the workplace? And specifically in IT-related fields? It is downright ironic if you ask me given the contributions of the following two women in the profession:
- Ada Lovelace from the 19th century who worked on Babbage’s early “computer”. Eventually, a programming language, and one of my former student interns, was named after her.
- Rear Admiral Grace Hopper is known for her significant contributions to the development of the COBOL programming language but also for popularizing higher-level programming languages (versus chip-specific assembly language). And while many might lament the zillions of lines of COBOL still being maintained around the world the fact remains it was a huge contribution to the world of business computing. And that s— still runs!
So why are we still struggling with this idea of equal pay? If we are truly adopting outcome-driven, results-only work environments then why the disparity in the compensation? Is there a link and stigma still around women who take time off for maternity leave, doctor’s appointments, and other family duties? Perhaps this “time off” is being viewed as not working “hard” when really – consistent with ROWE – is we should focus on working smarter while still delivering on commitments.
I recall a professor I worked with who was responsible for recruiting students into 20-week work assignments required for their undergraduate degrees. His management continued to pressure him for more women to apply and eventually be hired. On my side it was rare I would turn down any candidate – But the professor exclaimed to his management that women were not applying because they simply did not exist! Of the 20–25 students I hired, only two women ever applied and were subsequently hired on their qualifications.
Which forces me to look inward. What barriers exist that need to be eliminated? In the workplace? In me? What are your thoughts?
