1 of 55

No

Write now Article Tools

To answer this we must first get the question stated more accurately. The question really asks, "Should we force companies to pay based on sex rather than performance?"

Of course the correct answer is "no," at least for people who want to live in a culture free of sexism, especially when that sexism is mandated by the state. Governmentally enforced sexual discrimination is exactly what this type of question implies.

We live in a culture that is quick to rush into things that appear egalitarian, especially if they are perceived as ameliorating a problem suffered by groups already associated with some historical wrongs. This is a prime example of something that might appear promote progress while it actually serves to undermine it. The trick is to place reason over reactionism.

To make a point, let's examine a hypothetical.

John and Mary work at the XYZ Corporation doing the same job. John is to work early, completes his assignments on time and turns in work that is at or above the expectations of his job description. Mary is also at work early, completes most of her assignments on time, but for whatever reason only completes about 85% of the work that John does.

Under the guidelines proposed by the question XYZ will have a hard time giving John a raise unless they raise the pay of Mary as well. They will also be subject to litigation and bad publicity if they do the right thing by rewarding John. Companies usually make very quick decisions when choosing between fairness and cold cash. The latter wins every time.

Under the threat of such invasive laws, the company will be hamstrung in any efforts to recognize and reward top producers. Unless, of course, those producers happen to be women.

Sexist to the very core. And illegal by our current laws.

They tried this in Ontario, Canada, where every employer must rate every job to make sure women are getting paid as much as men. The law resulted in cumbersome and complicated sets of rules from the Canadian Pay Equity Commission.

Sheldon Kaplan, of a large Canadian company that sows and sells sofa cushions lamented in an ABC News 20/20 interview, "We spent months and tens of thousands of dollars to do a 3-cent adjustment that may not have even been necessary."

A follow-up study by the Canadian Bureau of Economics concluded the law "had no effect on aggregate wages in female jobs or the gender wage gap,"

It shouldn't be surprising. It's hard to have an impact on something that doesn't exist. That supposed gender wage gap, like the

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Should US companies be required to provide equal pay to women and men??
We want to hear your view. Write now!