“The gap is…positively gargantuan in finance and insurance”

The FT reports this morning that gender pay gaps in the UK have been understated slightly for the past 20 years (by about 1%). And while they are narrowing in countries that try to tackle them, pay gaps remain stubbornly persistent. Pay gaps persist…

💲Even when women set their own rates (e.g. freelancers) or are self-employed

💲Because men negotiate for higher salaries and get more of the top roles (overconfidence explains about 11% of this type of gender pay gap)

💲Due to inadequate corporate policies to support working parents (such as parental leave and flexible working arrangements)

💲Because of the motherhood penalty and the fatherhood bonus 

This is hitting home for me on so many levels.

- As a former finance professional who had to negotiate hard for wages, bonuses and promotions

- As a former finance professional who received inadequate support as a working parent 

- As a current solopreneur who does not want to undervalue herself versus her male peers

- As a coach who works with women facing these barriers

What strikes me the most is that while structural barriers are indeed a contributing factor to gender pay gaps, internal barriers hold women back as well. I see this every day in my work.

- Women, who in their desire to help, care, give and make an impact, undervalue themselves 

- Women who play small in negotiations because they don’t want to be perceived as difficult

- Women who don’t dare to apply to the new job unless they tick all of the boxes 

- Women who are exhausted from trying to be perfect at home and in the office, not believing that they are enough if they aim for good enough

Take a pause to reflect. If you are feeling

⬇️ Intimidated

⬇️ Small

⬇️ Undervalued

⬇️ Exhausted

⬇️ Not enough

And instead would like to feel

⬆️ Confident

⬆️ Powerful

⬆️ Valuable

⬆️ Recharged

⬆️ Daring

⬆️ Worthy

Reach out, let’s talk. This is how I support my clients as a coach.

Women face enough structural barriers to equality. We don’t need to be getting in our own way as well. It’s time to unleash our limitless and glorious potential. 

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