Main -> In the News: Gender 

Ask for a Raise?  Most Women Hesitate (NPR, 2/20/2011) 

"In the face of a persistent gender pay gap, researchers and women's advocates are focusing on one little-discussed part of the problem: Women simply don't ask for more money.  There are many reasons why, despite widespread gains in the workplace, women still earn on average about 78 cents to a man's dollar. But the failure to negotiate higher pay is crucial. Research shows men are four times more likely than women to ask for a salary raise, and economist Linda Babcock of Carnegie Mellon University says this has a snowball effect. Even a small pay boost will mean bigger annual raises and possibly bigger bonuses and it will carry over to a new employer, who is almost certain to ask: What was your last salary?"

Discussion questions: Ask your male and female friends if they've ever asked for a raise.  If they haven't, why not?  If they have, what was the result?