LIHUE — The data shows there’s still a gap that needs bridging.
The good news is when it comes to the wage difference between men and women in the workplace, Hawaii fares far better than most states.
But a recently report by the National Partnership for Women and Families showed that a gender-based wage disparity still exists, costing each working woman in Hawaii nearly $8,000 a year, which totals $1.5 billion each year.
“The wage gap is simply unacceptable. We must do much more to end discrimination so we no longer deny millions of women the fair pay they need and deserve,” said Debra Ness, NPWF president, on the report’s findings. “We know from census data and the experiences of women across the country that the wage gap exists regardless of industry, education level or perceived personal choices.”
She said the data reflects a “Mad Men” mentality that the country needs to overcome — and the Aloha State is no exception.
“It’s time to finally put ‘Mad Men’-era wage policies in the past,” Ness said, referring to the popular TV show based in a 1960s sexist setting. “As this analysis shows, when women and their families lose thousands of dollars in critical income each year, they have significantly less money to spend on food, gas, rent and other basic necessities, and the consequences for their families and our state and national economies can be devastating.”
Yet, Hawaii’s ranking could have been worse.
The report showed Hawaii as the sixth smallest of the 50 states when it came to the size of the wage gap. The difference between similarly skilled employees was 17-cent per hour gap between males and females. The worst one belonged to Wyoming, which had a 36-cent per hour gap.
To some, the fact that a gap existed was alarming enough, regardless of how high or low it fell on the report.
“It’s not fair,” said Sierra DeForg of Wailua, who works at the Kukui Grove Mall, when asked about the pay disparity.
Her advice to a female friend earning less than a man for the same amount of work?
“I would tell her to find another job,” she said.
Irene Murrieta, an unemployed educator on Kauai, said the report showed what many people suspect, even though it is unfair.
“We live in a man’s world,” she said. “Women are worthy of equal pay.”
Other Kauai professionals said women can take a proactive approach to shrink the gap. Prepare yourself for the workforce through education and become an indispensable employee once you’re there. That can help empower employees to ask for higher pay, they said.
“Where there are disparities, there may be various causes,” said Diane Zachary, president and CEO of the nonprofit Kauai Planning & Action Alliance. “I know women who are hesitant to speak up for the pay increases they feel they deserve. There is truth to the old saying, ‘You don’t ask, you don’t get.’ As women, we have to ensure we don’t simply wait for others to recognize our value. We have to demonstrate that value and ask for compensation accordingly.”
The government sector, according to County of Kauai Managing Director Nadine Nakamura, doesn’t suffer from a wage gap. Pay is based on position and job description, not gender, she said.
“If you’re in civil service, you’re going to get paid based on a pay scale that is the same whether you’re a male or a female,” she said.
But Nakamura said the private sector could be a different case, although the times are changing for the better.
“There are more women graduating from college than men,” Nakamura said. “I believe that will make the biggest difference of all when it comes to earning power. Also, when it comes time to discuss salary, know your value.”
She also thinks the recipe for success in the job place should include landing a job where you have an opportunity to use your skills.
“Find a career that really makes you happy,” said Nakamura. “When you’re happy, you do well. Also, find something that makes you feel rewarded. Its not just about the pay.”
Zachary agreed.
If employees, male or female, find a job they enjoy and excel at, just compensation should fall into place, she said.
“Think about your interests, skills and expectations,” Zachary said. “Then look for jobs that match. Take every opportunity to prepare yourself.”
Still, there could be reasons for the gap, some said.
Many women are raising families, which could pull them away from the office more often than their male counterparts.
“We want to have the time off to go to our kid’s soccer games,” said Nakamura. “Our lives are sandwiched between younger kids and older adults. We need to remember to have a sense of balance and a sense of our quality of life.”
Men aren’t oblivious to the wage gap.
Bill Olmo, a Walmart employee in Lihue, was disappointed that the country still had a gap, Hawaii included.
“It’s very unfair,” he said. “I’m surprised in this time and age that it is still happening. We need to wake people up and make them aware. I want it to change now.”
• Lisa Ann Capozzi, features and education reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or lcapozzi@thegardenisland.com.
