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Women are paid less than men
By
Ankita Bhalani
Bangalore: As part of reducing the gender gap in the workplace while most IT companies are taking up initiatives to evangelize encouraging the women to take up jobs, most Indian women feel that they are less paid than men.
The working women in the U.S feel the same as they get a raw deal compared to men in career advancement, training and workplace flexibility, according to the survey by the country's top job website CareerBuilder.com
A survey in America and other western countries have proved this wage difference. Studies in India have resulted in the same outcome. N. Padmini a CEO of a private company in Mysore says, "This disparity is existing in the industry for long period. I have worked very hard to come to this position and have gone through this discrimination."
This disparity is well reflected in the IT sector too, with only 15-20 percent female employees in the software industry and the other industries also follow the suit.
An International Labor Organisation (ILO) survey conducted among the IT professionals in the software industires in India has revealed the prevalence of gender inequality in its various forms. It has also show-cased how women are relegated to the less prestigious and low-paid jobs. The study also points out the lack of women professionals in the leadership level.
Recently the MNCs had announced that they would be recruiting more women employees. It is also known that these companies have been cutting economic costs recently. Is this the reason they want to recruit more women employees? Some companies also claim that they are hiring more women to create gender equality in work place. P.S. Shylashree, a Senior Software Engineer, Chennai says, "It is true that women does not get paid as much as men even with the same qualifications and experience, but the amount of work remains same. Women should be recruited for right cause and not to take advantage."
Women refrain from joining the workforce partly due to these reasons. Skill development of women is not uniform across all trades and they are also denied access to certain jobs.
"Engendering Workplaces: Framework for a Gender Policy", a book put together by Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), an NGO working on issues of governance and gender issues, in collaboration with the Gender Community-UN Solution Exchange lists out recommendations that organisations should follow to retain women employees and bring out the best in them.
The recommendations were flexible working hours for women, traveling arrangements, especially at night, and better facilities for pregnant women, lactating mothers and those with young children, ensure safety to their women employees, and work places should also have a committee to look into sexual harassment cases.
According to Som Mittal, President, Nasscom, companies should realize the importance of women in their workforce. What is needed is a transformation in the nature of paid and unpaid work, as well as looking at the impact women can have on technology and technology on women. Women can bring in a different insight and dynamics to the work and have emerged as better professionals in any situations.
The working women in the U.S feel the same as they get a raw deal compared to men in career advancement, training and workplace flexibility, according to the survey by the country's top job website CareerBuilder.com
A survey in America and other western countries have proved this wage difference. Studies in India have resulted in the same outcome. N. Padmini a CEO of a private company in Mysore says, "This disparity is existing in the industry for long period. I have worked very hard to come to this position and have gone through this discrimination."
This disparity is well reflected in the IT sector too, with only 15-20 percent female employees in the software industry and the other industries also follow the suit.
An International Labor Organisation (ILO) survey conducted among the IT professionals in the software industires in India has revealed the prevalence of gender inequality in its various forms. It has also show-cased how women are relegated to the less prestigious and low-paid jobs. The study also points out the lack of women professionals in the leadership level.
Recently the MNCs had announced that they would be recruiting more women employees. It is also known that these companies have been cutting economic costs recently. Is this the reason they want to recruit more women employees? Some companies also claim that they are hiring more women to create gender equality in work place. P.S. Shylashree, a Senior Software Engineer, Chennai says, "It is true that women does not get paid as much as men even with the same qualifications and experience, but the amount of work remains same. Women should be recruited for right cause and not to take advantage."
Women refrain from joining the workforce partly due to these reasons. Skill development of women is not uniform across all trades and they are also denied access to certain jobs.
"Engendering Workplaces: Framework for a Gender Policy", a book put together by Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), an NGO working on issues of governance and gender issues, in collaboration with the Gender Community-UN Solution Exchange lists out recommendations that organisations should follow to retain women employees and bring out the best in them.
The recommendations were flexible working hours for women, traveling arrangements, especially at night, and better facilities for pregnant women, lactating mothers and those with young children, ensure safety to their women employees, and work places should also have a committee to look into sexual harassment cases.
According to Som Mittal, President, Nasscom, companies should realize the importance of women in their workforce. What is needed is a transformation in the nature of paid and unpaid work, as well as looking at the impact women can have on technology and technology on women. Women can bring in a different insight and dynamics to the work and have emerged as better professionals in any situations.
Reader's comments(16)
1
Anupam Gender discrimination might be there but not in IT industry, this is an
International Study done by ILO reading this study paper you might change your
thinking. please visit this site for details on software
industry...http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/inst/papers/1997/dp96/ch2.ht
m
"The software industry in India, like in other countries, is highly male
dominated, with about 86 per cent of the labour force being men. In terms of
remuneration, women are paid at an equal pay-scale. It is also a very young
labour force, with a median age of 29.3 years. As the workforce is largely made
up of professionals, unionisation is very low."
Again I am here to re-emphasis women are being hired in large numbers and paid
equal to men of same cadre. based on 2007 -2008 hiring of freshers(Campus) for 3
major MNC IT companies based out of chennai wherein I have data to prove, out of
360 candidates hired 196 were women and salary paid was equal to the men hired
during the same tenure.
Cheers!
Craig
International Study done by ILO reading this study paper you might change your
thinking. please visit this site for details on software
industry...http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/inst/papers/1997/dp96/ch2.ht
m
"The software industry in India, like in other countries, is highly male
dominated, with about 86 per cent of the labour force being men. In terms of
remuneration, women are paid at an equal pay-scale. It is also a very young
labour force, with a median age of 29.3 years. As the workforce is largely made
up of professionals, unionisation is very low."
Again I am here to re-emphasis women are being hired in large numbers and paid
equal to men of same cadre. based on 2007 -2008 hiring of freshers(Campus) for 3
major MNC IT companies based out of chennai wherein I have data to prove, out of
360 candidates hired 196 were women and salary paid was equal to the men hired
during the same tenure.
Cheers!
Craig
Posted by:
Craig
2
yes!!! i completely agree with the article. in india whether it is IT
recruitment or anyother recruitment, bottomline is this there is lot of gender
discriminaton. This gender discrimination leads to nothing but a atmosphere
which is unfriendly and not perfect for working as a unit. In india it is all
about people who can dip there hands in dirty politics whether its in office or
in sports or in film industry. everywhere there is gender discrimination. Woman
are treated like the weaker sex and due to which still this indian society is
full of malfunctioned backward thinking. It is just some group of people who are
in top level and they try to fake certain things like they protect woman rights,
but at the end of the day Indian society will remain uneducated and a place of
discrimination. But If a woman doesn't gets its right then tomorrow even men who
have potential, they too might go through the same discrimnation!!! i strongly
reject Craig's points.
recruitment or anyother recruitment, bottomline is this there is lot of gender
discriminaton. This gender discrimination leads to nothing but a atmosphere
which is unfriendly and not perfect for working as a unit. In india it is all
about people who can dip there hands in dirty politics whether its in office or
in sports or in film industry. everywhere there is gender discrimination. Woman
are treated like the weaker sex and due to which still this indian society is
full of malfunctioned backward thinking. It is just some group of people who are
in top level and they try to fake certain things like they protect woman rights,
but at the end of the day Indian society will remain uneducated and a place of
discrimination. But If a woman doesn't gets its right then tomorrow even men who
have potential, they too might go through the same discrimnation!!! i strongly
reject Craig's points.
Posted by:
Anupam Chhatik
3
I find the article baseless, being in IT recruitment for more than eight years
and hiring professionals at all levels.
There is no gender based pay structure in any of the IT MNC's. there might be
some gender based hiring restrictions when it comes to night shifts, critical
situations where company feels a women would be more stressed(physically),
knowing the person is family way on all other situations there is no gender
based hiring at least in IT sector.
This article has quoted right things in wrong way. and seems more of a personal
vengeance than something based on facts. I would suggest the author of this
article to double check the facts and then present anything in forums like this,
as one wrong message like this can and would jeopardize the career plan of women
who aspire to get into IT companies.
and hiring professionals at all levels.
There is no gender based pay structure in any of the IT MNC's. there might be
some gender based hiring restrictions when it comes to night shifts, critical
situations where company feels a women would be more stressed(physically),
knowing the person is family way on all other situations there is no gender
based hiring at least in IT sector.
This article has quoted right things in wrong way. and seems more of a personal
vengeance than something based on facts. I would suggest the author of this
article to double check the facts and then present anything in forums like this,
as one wrong message like this can and would jeopardize the career plan of women
who aspire to get into IT companies.
Posted by:
Craig
4
This varies situation to situation, in some places women get paid lesser than
men nand in some places they are equally paid.but this article absolutely fake
men nand in some places they are equally paid.but this article absolutely fake
Posted by:
ritika
5
i dont think this is correct. i have seen that female employee who joined on the
same day ,same experience ,same designation,same field yet she is being paid
around 1.5 to2.0 lacs more than the male employee joined the same day
This was displayed on the notice board of my Organisation.What would one say
about this>>>>>
same day ,same experience ,same designation,same field yet she is being paid
around 1.5 to2.0 lacs more than the male employee joined the same day
This was displayed on the notice board of my Organisation.What would one say
about this>>>>>
Posted by:
unfortunate
6
The Comment by Mr Kumar would say that he is MCP. It was a case where in he
shows lack of Professionalism and corporate mannerism. Anyone who allocates
duties or profile on the basis of gender is declared as a bad manager. Many
Women do work hard and also stress when there is requirement. They are cases
where they have been a good team player.
shows lack of Professionalism and corporate mannerism. Anyone who allocates
duties or profile on the basis of gender is declared as a bad manager. Many
Women do work hard and also stress when there is requirement. They are cases
where they have been a good team player.
Posted by:
mamta kabra
7
I cant comment about the women in the world, but I surely have some points that
i would like put up on this debatable issue. I totally disagree that women are
being paid less because of discrimination. Here, C Kumar does make a valid point
though in the worst possible fashion. I know atleast three of my nerd female
friends who are drawing atleast 1.5 times my salary. Thanks to their caliber,
dedication and their intelligence . The success stories of great business
tycoons like Indira Noori and Kiran Mazumdar shaw just reval the fact that if
you put your efforts and be sincere and dedicated to your work ,you will come up
with flying colors. I totally agree with Mr K Bhattacharya, and especially the
fact that marriage does play a turning point into the life of many women which
is very unfortunate.I think the conclusion can be drawn from the answers to the
following questions :- Why we have more women into testing and less into
development ? Why are working men ready to sacrifice endless hours whereas women
follow the 9-6 rule strictly.
i would like put up on this debatable issue. I totally disagree that women are
being paid less because of discrimination. Here, C Kumar does make a valid point
though in the worst possible fashion. I know atleast three of my nerd female
friends who are drawing atleast 1.5 times my salary. Thanks to their caliber,
dedication and their intelligence . The success stories of great business
tycoons like Indira Noori and Kiran Mazumdar shaw just reval the fact that if
you put your efforts and be sincere and dedicated to your work ,you will come up
with flying colors. I totally agree with Mr K Bhattacharya, and especially the
fact that marriage does play a turning point into the life of many women which
is very unfortunate.I think the conclusion can be drawn from the answers to the
following questions :- Why we have more women into testing and less into
development ? Why are working men ready to sacrifice endless hours whereas women
follow the 9-6 rule strictly.
Posted by:
Karandeep Malik
8
This may be wrong . Women can't overwork when the situation demands , those who
do they get paid and rewarded well. Also some sensitive things come upon on
silly issues.That is why some companies even don't hire women. They are good as
recruiters,hr,marketing,sales and qa(Oh ya in these fields they get paid more
than men). But programming and development leave it to the hard working men.
do they get paid and rewarded well. Also some sensitive things come upon on
silly issues.That is why some companies even don't hire women. They are good as
recruiters,hr,marketing,sales and qa(Oh ya in these fields they get paid more
than men). But programming and development leave it to the hard working men.
Posted by:
Kumar C
9
I feel differentiation based on gender is communal. I strongly oppose this kind
of article.
of article.
Posted by:
mahantesh
10
In my point of view rather than wage difference, there would be work exploiting
scenes have been happening with women in the IT companies. As far as the support
service female employees are doing better and can be seen leaders too but in the
meanwhile I could see the inequality prevails in work sharing and more work
delegates to female employees and it has been the every day complaints of my
software engineer friends. There are difference of treatment in terms of
exploitation of work/delegations/unsatisfactory welfare have been thoroughly
seeing in the workplace where the crowd of female employees crowd are less in
some project in one of the IT concern. The survey should take from HR
confidentially from the company and so the employees feelings would be thrown
out and then they feel positive attitude/morale towards work and it would then
help reducing the female employees working population diminition and minimize
the circumstances where some women goes out of the job to home maker despite of
this reason. ILO convention is to be strongly framed out for this. Of course,
may be in some cases, the income too varies since the most women are true
nature/not knowing to do political things whereas the man does everything for
their personal favors.
scenes have been happening with women in the IT companies. As far as the support
service female employees are doing better and can be seen leaders too but in the
meanwhile I could see the inequality prevails in work sharing and more work
delegates to female employees and it has been the every day complaints of my
software engineer friends. There are difference of treatment in terms of
exploitation of work/delegations/unsatisfactory welfare have been thoroughly
seeing in the workplace where the crowd of female employees crowd are less in
some project in one of the IT concern. The survey should take from HR
confidentially from the company and so the employees feelings would be thrown
out and then they feel positive attitude/morale towards work and it would then
help reducing the female employees working population diminition and minimize
the circumstances where some women goes out of the job to home maker despite of
this reason. ILO convention is to be strongly framed out for this. Of course,
may be in some cases, the income too varies since the most women are true
nature/not knowing to do political things whereas the man does everything for
their personal favors.
Posted by:
suba
11
Who said its not true. Men dont want to admit it. I ve not married and still I
work hard and I get almost the same work but less pay. People who talk about
women that are married can justify this. But what about people like me..? Women
should raise their voice. This not only in IT but in other industries too
work hard and I get almost the same work but less pay. People who talk about
women that are married can justify this. But what about people like me..? Women
should raise their voice. This not only in IT but in other industries too
Posted by:
Shailaja
12
I don't believe this is always true. It could be true in labor class jobs, but
in industries employing educated classes there is parity in pays and positions.
If there are only 15- 20 % women in IT industry, we should check what is the
ratio or employment among men and women generally. There are lot of women who
are home makers and quit jobs for personal reasons. Also we see lot of women in
higher positions these days. My current and previous bosses have been women.
The article is very vague.
in industries employing educated classes there is parity in pays and positions.
If there are only 15- 20 % women in IT industry, we should check what is the
ratio or employment among men and women generally. There are lot of women who
are home makers and quit jobs for personal reasons. Also we see lot of women in
higher positions these days. My current and previous bosses have been women.
The article is very vague.
Posted by:
prashanth.c
13
This is a debatable issue. I am not a recruiter but a programmer so I cannot
comment from the recruiters point of view but definitely I have see a lot of
women joining IT companies today. Yes, there may be cases where a woman may have
had to let go of her career for family reasons or responsibilities (marriage,
child birth etc.) which definitely do come first in priority (though not for
all, as far as the situation goes today). But there is always an option to join
the work force after marriage or after the child has grown up to an age where
the woman does not have to completely take care of him/her 24x7.
I have spoken to many women who feel that since they are out of work for so long
a time, they won't be taken back into the workforce with a higher salary but
would be paid a lower salary than what they would have received if she had not
moved out of the workforce during child birth. This is because her male
colleagues have spent that timeframe in making their career. This is the period
where the discrepancy in salary comes in. And women tend to feel that they are
paid less than their colleagues. But instead they should keep in mind that they
were out of the workforce for a considerable amount of time and they have fallen
behind their male colleagues in that phase as they have contributed nothing
towards the company.
Another fear of a women is in getting married as after marriage her in her
in-laws may be against letting her work out of home but that frame of mind is
changing now a days. Hopefully more and more women will join the workforce in
the near future.
Otherwise I feel at the same grade level of entry in a company, women and men
have the same salary structure and are paid the same. Women on the other hand
have better tax saving bracket than men thanks to our Govt. of India.
comment from the recruiters point of view but definitely I have see a lot of
women joining IT companies today. Yes, there may be cases where a woman may have
had to let go of her career for family reasons or responsibilities (marriage,
child birth etc.) which definitely do come first in priority (though not for
all, as far as the situation goes today). But there is always an option to join
the work force after marriage or after the child has grown up to an age where
the woman does not have to completely take care of him/her 24x7.
I have spoken to many women who feel that since they are out of work for so long
a time, they won't be taken back into the workforce with a higher salary but
would be paid a lower salary than what they would have received if she had not
moved out of the workforce during child birth. This is because her male
colleagues have spent that timeframe in making their career. This is the period
where the discrepancy in salary comes in. And women tend to feel that they are
paid less than their colleagues. But instead they should keep in mind that they
were out of the workforce for a considerable amount of time and they have fallen
behind their male colleagues in that phase as they have contributed nothing
towards the company.
Another fear of a women is in getting married as after marriage her in her
in-laws may be against letting her work out of home but that frame of mind is
changing now a days. Hopefully more and more women will join the workforce in
the near future.
Otherwise I feel at the same grade level of entry in a company, women and men
have the same salary structure and are paid the same. Women on the other hand
have better tax saving bracket than men thanks to our Govt. of India.
Posted by:
K Bhattacharyya
14
I don't think this as true and valuable comment. As a recruiter we take only the
candidates those who perform well in the interview phases. While Performance
Appraisal also it resemble the same. Now most of the HR/Recruiters are females.
The female recruiter may have prejudice while selecting. To KISS it contains
many factors. In general we can't say this as a valuable point to discuss.
candidates those who perform well in the interview phases. While Performance
Appraisal also it resemble the same. Now most of the HR/Recruiters are females.
The female recruiter may have prejudice while selecting. To KISS it contains
many factors. In general we can't say this as a valuable point to discuss.
Posted by:
Aravind D
15
I don't think this is always true....... things are changing now.
Posted by:
aditya
16
inequality and women ... a long dragged topic..
Posted by:
bibhuti
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