4 ways to shrink your wage gap

4 ways to shrink your wage gap4 ways to shrink your wage gapWhat to do if you think youre paid less than your male colleague?Realizing youre paid less than your male peer can be a hard blow. It saps your confidence. It can strain your relationships not to mention crush your productivity and morale. Recently I had the chance to weigh in on this critical issue with Juliana Reyes ofthe Philadelphia Inquirer, in a piece where 6 brave women shared their pay inequity stories. I offered tips on how to combat the wage gap, which are summarized below.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreKnow the going rateIf you squirm at the thought of asking your colleagues exactly how much theyre making, then pivot your request slightly. Try asking how much theyre hoping to land in terms of a percentage of their raise or how much they made when they first started at the job. You can also ask the range the y hope to fall within at review time. It helps if you have evidence to share,such as the latest salary report for your industry. Remember Employers cant legally tell you not to discuss salary. While youre at it, check out industry data from trade associations, industry competitors, and websitessuch asGlassdoorandPayscale. If a headhunter calls you with an opportunity (even if youre not interested), always talk to the person, as its a great way to see what employers are offering for someone *like you* right now.Prep before you makeyouraskSchedule a meeting with your manager just as you would for an important project. Come in prepared and ready to make an objective case for yourself. Data is important here. But so is framing. Dont open with talk about the wage gap or what your male colleague fruchtfleisch is making. (If you do, it could encourage your manager to begin telling you all the reasons Mark is wonderful or exceptional). Instead, focus on yourself. Have a list of your accompl ishments at the ready. But make sure to give yourself time to prep. Even if youre rightfully enraged about being underpaid, a drive-by negotiation rarely ends up getting anyone the results they want.Figure out a plan in case you get a noIf you get pushback, dont slink away defeated. Engage your boss and elongate the conversation. One woman executive I talked to described getting a no, and then asking what, exactly, her boss needed that he wasnt getting in terms of her skills. Pushing for that specific information, and then working on it, landed her a major promotion and pay raise not long thereafter. Another way to frame this is, What are the conditions that need to be true for me to move up/increase my pay?Analyze your wage gap with a lawyerIf you feel youre being discriminated against, dont be shy about talking to an employment lawyer. Do your own research and study theEqual Employment Opportunity Commissionswebsite(itsthe agency that enforces the Equal Pay Act). Familiarize yours elf with the Commissions rules For example, if you want to allegediscrimination, you have to compare yourself to another role thatsconsidered substantially equal. Know that if you formally file a complaint, your name will be attached to it. Its important to first read about others who have fought a wage gap and been through the process so that you can make an informed decision.Thankfully, not all companies are turning a blind-eye to pay inequity. In fact earlier this monthI wrote in Forbesabout six innovative ways companies are attempting to flatten the wage gap. Check it out and chime in with your ideas belowThis article first appeared on Be Leaderly.