The Gender Wage Gap Task Force established by Gov. Malloy recently issued “The Gender Wage Gap in Connecticut: Findings and Recommendations.” According to the report, the state’s full-time, year-round female workers earn 22% - 24.2% less than their male counterparts. The report cites several factors that contribute to this difference, including education and skills, experience, union membership, training, performance, hours worked, and career choices. After controlling for these factors, it still finds an estimated 5% - 10% wage gap caused by six key factors: (1) unconscious bias, (2) occupational segregation, (3) lower starting salaries and positions for women, (4) women’s slower career advancement, (5) the “glass ceiling,” and (6) a lack of support for working families.
Among other things, the task force recommends (1) promoting unconscious bias trainings, (2) identifying and promoting private sector jobs that offer greater levels of long-term economic security for women, (3) coordinating with programs that encourage girls to explore non-traditional occupations, (4) encouraging colleges and universities to teach students how to negotiate their salaries and starting positions, and (5) increasing support for working women.
