MISSOURI – Women’s Foundation today released guidelines on best practices employers in the public and private sectors can adopt to work toward pay equity. Women’s Foundation contracted the University of Missouri’s Truman School of Public Affairs Institute of Public Policy (IPP) to conduct the research. Using information gained through research, literature reviews, and evaluation of other states gender pay law policies and programs, the IPP developed the Pay Equity Best Practices Guidelines.
"Women's Foundation has worked tirelessly to advance the issue of equal pay since our research identified that women in Missouri are paid only 71 cents to the dollar that men earn," said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of Women's Foundation. "These guidelines serve as a practical tool to achieve equal pay for women. When women are paid equally, it will help our families and our economy."
"It's our hope that every employer can use the tools provided within this report to move their organizations toward gender pay equity,” said Sonja Erickson, Senior Policy Analyst at the MU Institute of Public Policy.
The Pay Equity Best Practices Guidelines are useful tools for private as well as public employers.
“At Black and Veatch, we support pay equity and we were pleased to work with the Women’s Foundation on their best practices guidelines,’ announced Chairman and CEO of Black and Veatch, Steve Edwards. “Equal pay for equal work is good for women, families and it’s also good for business. We hope other businesses in Missouri and beyond are able to use this tool to great effect.”
The Pay Equity Best Practice Guidelines seek to improve standards for pay equity and achieve measurable results with three best practices for Missouri employers in both the private and public sectors:
- Employers Should Determine if Gender-Based Pay Disparities Exist
- Reevaluate the Current Pay System from an Equity Perspective
- Promote and Ensure Pay Transparency
For each best practice, the report includes a summary of how it can help close the gender pay gap in the public or private sector; examples from other states; and indicators for measuring progress. It is meant to be a helpful resource and toolkit of practical steps that employers can take to advance pay equity and close the gender wage gap in Missouri.
A full copy of the report can be downloaded at http://www.womens-foundation.org/equal-pay/.
The Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women of all ages, using research, philanthropy and policy solutions to make meaningful change. More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.
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