EQUAL PAY FOR WORK OF EQUAL VALUE Carole

EQUAL PAY FOR WORK OF EQUAL VALUE Carole Cameron Pay Equity Specialist Canadian Union of Public Employees

Points for Discussion § Pay equity defined § History of pay equity in Canada § Steps taken to reduce the wage gap § Lessons learned § Defeating pay equity myths § Where we are today & the road ahead

Pay Equity Defined § A goal that is achieved or a program that is undertaken to end wage discrimination against female dominated jobs by creating a system of compensation that is free of sexual discrimination

The Canadian Human Rights Code states: “It is a discriminatory practice for an employer to establish or maintain differences in wages between male and female employees, employed in the same establishments, who are performing work of equal value. ”

Federal Government Goal § To close the gender wage gap by complying with the Canadian Human Rights Code

Provincial Government Goal § To comply with all provincial pay equity regulations and legislation

History of Pay Equity in Canada § Canadian Human § § Rights Act (1978) Manitoba (1985) Ontario (1987) Yukon (1987) Newfoundland (1988) § Nova Scotia (1988) § Prince Edward Is. (1988) § New Brunswick (1989) § British Columbia (1995) § Quebec (1997) § Saskatchewan (1998)

Steps Taken to Reduce the Wage Gap § Equalizing base rates of pay § Elimination of increments § Employment equity hiring § Job reviews to identify wage inequities

How can you compare Apples and Oranges? 150 grams Weight 150 grams 87 calories 21. 7 grams 0. 3 grams 1. 5 grams 140 IU Calories Carbohydrates Proteins Fiber Vitamin A 73 calories 18. 3 grams 1. 5 grams. 08 grams 300 IU

Criteria for Job Review 1) Skill 2) Effort 3) Responsibility 4) Working Conditions

Skill § Knowledge § Experience § Problem Solving § Decision Making

Effort § Physical Effort § Concentration § Dexterity

Responsibility § Accountability § Leadership/Supervision of Others § Communication § Service to Others

Working Conditions § Environmental/Working Conditions

Factor #10: Communication • Measures the level of skill necessary to communicate with others to perform the duties of the job • May be oral or in writing, including sign language and carrying varying degrees of skill for the handling of contacts tactfully and harmoniously

Degree Level Definition ¨ 1. Explain or exchange factual information in a two-way communication involving no conflicts ¨ 2. Clarify factual information to handle complaints, deal with or settle requests ¨ 3. Resolve problems requiring explanation & interpretation of information or ideas ¨ 4. Facilitate participation & joint effort involving communicating ideas of a specialized nature to people who normally cooperate in the setting

Degree Level Definition (continued) ¨ 5. Secure the cooperation of others who may not cooperate in areas of a specialized nature involving influencing or persuasion techniques ¨ 6. Counsel or consult with others who do not normally cooperate in areas of a professional nature ¨ 7. Negotiate with others who are at the same or higher level of authority & facilitate consensus in areas of a sensitive nature

Notes to Raters -Communication ¨ Level 1 ¨ Level 2 ¨ Level 3 ¨ Level 4 ¨ Level 5 ¨ Level 6 ¨ Level 7 No conflicts Factual information, conflict involved but no requirement to act together Interpretation of ideas, conflicts involved, but no requirement to act together Line of authority in place to enhance cooperation, conflicts involved Line of authority fades out & cooperation may be difficult, conflicts involved Cooperation is difficult because of therapeutic nature in interaction, conflict involved Negotiation with authority required, conflict involved

Weighting of Factors ¨ SKILL = 35% ¨ EFFORT = 20% ¨ RESPONSIBILITY = 35% ¨ WORKING CONDITIONS = 10%

Problems Encountered and Lessons Learned § Communication! § Managing Expectations § Dealing with Backlash

Defeating Pay Equity Myths 1. Woman do not work for a secondary 2. 3. 4. 5. income Women are committed to the workforce Women do not necessarily have better and safer working conditions than men Women do not choose to work in lowpaying jobs Pay equity does not threaten the free market system

Defeating Pay Equity Myths 6. Pay equity does not mean the end of a free 7. 8. 9. 10. and democratic society Pay equity will not mean economic disaster Pay equity does not mean creating another huge bureaucracy Pay equity will not hurt women Pay equity will not hurt men

Where We Are Today and The Road Ahead § Federal Human Rights Code under review § Much remains to be done