Some of you had to be following the U.S. women’s soccer team as it made its march to winning the World Cup on July 7. What an inevitable outcome it was. The final game, against the Netherlands, was played in Lyon, France.
After the game, the crowd began chanting “Equal pay.” The inequity of the U.S women’s team’s pay compared to their male counterparts is egregious, as it is with so many enterprises.
Here you have a group of women who represent the U.S. well. The team includes people of different colors and sexual identities. Just like you all have in your respective locales, whether you know it or not.
By being open and accepting of our differences, we make the U.S. a more productive country and a safer place to live for everyone.
May the U.S. women’s team prevail in court as it attempts to right another example of inequality regarding compensation for women compared to that of men doing the same work.
Look at your company. My hope is you can say that you are paying your employees for what they do, not for who they are.
By correcting any differences which are based on bias, you will inspire your team to be even more productive. They know what is going on. And they are watching to see what you will do.
Run your company so no one will ever be thinking or chanting “Equal pay” by paying your employees for doing their jobs well, irrespective of who they are. Then celebrate the wins, like bringing a project in under budget or getting a great review from a client.
Remember, your company is a team. Help them become champions.