Kudos to several of my blog readers who shared this amazing resource! The WAGE Project http://www.wageproject.org (WAGE stands for Women Are Getting Even) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to end the gender wage gap by teaching women across America how to negotiate. It is a great program that is typically targeted to Women’s Centers on university campuses but they also partner with professional women’s organizations to train those already in the workforce.

WAGE offers training designed specifically for women to teach them about the gender wage gap and the skills needed to negotiate. The goal is to empower women with negotiating skills in a safe and comfortable environment. The WAGE Project has compiled a list of advocacy, research, and legal services organizations that support efforts to achieve equality for women in the workplace. They teach women about their legal options, sexual discrimination settlements, and provide hotline resources around the country for employment counseling on topics like family leave, pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment and unequal pay. Another great WAGE website resource is a salary calculator to help women determine what they are worth in a given field and geographic location.

The WAGE Project depends on individual contributions to build their campaign to close the wage gap by expanding the base of information on sex discrimination at work, collecting stories, cases and articles, increasing traffic to the WAGE website, and providing information and training for working women who want to be paid what they’re worth. You can make a tax deductible contribution to support this 501c3 organization via their website.

The website features stories from working women who have experienced salary discrimination. One woman shared a story about the birth of her children that gave me pause.

“When both my children were born, two people gave them money: the amount my son received from each person was about 40% more than the amount my daughter received. The financial gap starts from birth.” Working Woman

Over her working life, a woman will earn $1 million less than a man simply because she is a woman. Please share this amazing resource with every woman you know so this doesn’t happen to you…or your daughter… or your mother. Raising awareness is a crucial step in eliminating the gender gap for every woman in America. If we empower women with negotiating skills we can make great strides towards ending unequal pay in the workforce. Cheers to the WAGE Project for leading the charge!

Q: I will soon be returning to work after a 5 month maternity leave. I want to maintain my current position in the company and career path but I’d like to negotiate a four day work week or something like that. Since I have an infant at home, it’s difficult to “work” at home.  I’m willing to take a pay cut but need some advice in how to approach this topic with my boss. I want to make sure I ask for enough so I create a good work-life balance but yet not jeopardize my career.

A: It will be quite an adjustment getting back to work, dealing with childcare, and acclimating to your work schedule. The re-entry may be overwhelming at first so give it at least a week back at work before you ask your boss for any kind of adjustment. Don’t negotiate from home before you even get back to the office!

Once you have re-established to your boss and colleagues how valuable you are to the organization, you can begin to negotiate. Every organization is different so you will need to determine if there are others in the office with flexible schedules. If there is a precedent for this kind of flexibility then your negotiation will be much easier. Check with Human Resources to find out what the existing policies are so you can structure your proposal within these parameters.

Next, come up with a plan (in writing) that lists your ideal situation – perhaps that 4 day work week and a slightly adjusted salary for a test period. Have contingency strategies if the initial plan is not well received or approved but take the driver’s seat and articulate what you need to get the most out of your negotiation. You should help your boss understand that your long term plan is to grow your career with the company and this adjustment will empower you to serve in the best way possible.

The key is to be confident and well prepared when you are making your negotiation pitch. Never apologize for your request. Be clear in demonstrating the unique value you bring to the organization, your enthusiasm for the company, and your intent to deliver on the job with this new, flexible arrangement.

One of my favorite resources is the book: A Woman’s Guide to Successful Negotiating by Lee E. Miller and Jessica Miller. Do check it out for some terrific negotiating strategies. Men have been negotiating for generations – it’s wonderful that you are an empowered woman ready to ask for what you want in the workplace. Cheers to you!