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What I've Been Reading This Week: Equal Pay Edition


I read a few great articles this week in regard to equal pay that I wanted to highlight for readers.  Even after the election cycle wrapped up, equal pay continues to be a major topic of conversation not only in the U.S. but around the world, as evidenced by breaking news out of Iceland this week. 

As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week.


Intel Announces 100% Pay Equality for Women and Underrepresented Minorities

Recently, Intel announced that it had achieved its goal of 100% pay equality for women and underrepresented minoritirs in its workforce.  As Aric Jenkins over at Fortune writes, this was apparently a year end goal for the company.  Readers might recall that equal pay has been an often talked about issue in recent months (with Audi even running their much maligned equal pay ad during this year's Super Bowl).  It will be interesting to see if any other major companies follow suit and announce either support for equal pay measures or take steps to make it a reality.


New Jersey State Senator Takes National Approach to Advance Equal Pay

New Jersey State Senator Diane Allen, a member of the National Foundation for Women Legislators,  was recently announced as the Chair of the Policy Committee for the group.  In her new role, Allen has indicated she wants to bring equal pay to the forefront and make it a driving issue across the country.  Allen has stated 'As Policy Chair, I will work with other elected women leaders from across the nation to charter a course for passing the kind of meaningful [equal pay] legislation that the people of New Jersey and the country deserve.  Interesting to keep an eye on her and see just how much she can do in her new role.  She is probably one to keep an eye on in regard to equal pay news going forward.


Iceland to Require Proof of Equal Pay For Most Companies

On Wednesday, the Icelandic government announced it was set to introduce a bill in parliament this month which would require every company in the country (with twenty five or more employees) to obtain a certificate proving that they provide equal pay for work of equal value.  As noted, while some other countries have a similar equal pay certificate policy, Iceland is set to forge a new path here by seeking to become the first country to make it mandatory.  In addition, Iceland is on track to eradicate the gender pay gap in the country by 2022.  Bill Chappell over at NPR includes in his article a chart which breaks down the "best" working environment for working women (in regard to equal pay) among approximately 29 countries across the world.  Kudos to Iceland...it goes without saying this news has taken a hold of the equal pay conversation this week.

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