TYLER — Eighty cents for every dollar is the commonly reported figure used when discussing the gender wage gap between men and women in the workforce.
But a new study by the Institute for Women's Policy Research argues this figure is flawed, and in turn, underestimates the pay equality problem in our country.
"It's a common battle we've been fighting a long time,” says Nancy Carter, Tyler Junior College Professor of Economics. In many respects, there are certain places and times that do still seem to be a man's world."
Where women lose out pay differential wise is we are more likely to take out of the workforce to care for children, parents, siblings, and that timeout is brutal.
Over a 15-year period, when measured by total earnings women were found to make just $0.49 to the typical men's dollar.
"One of the things that it showed was if a woman took a full year out, her pay differential compared to other women was about 39% less. It's not just with men. We take more time off. We tend to crowd ourselves into the lower-paying occupations."
While men are also penalized for taking time out from work, the earning losses for women are almost always greater. Experts warn, at this pace, men and women will not meet pay parity until 2059.
"There's been several levels and instances of the Equal Pay Act that have come along, and the Family Leave Act does help,” says Carter. “Again, if you pull time out, you're going to suffer somewhere, but when something happens when your time is required more at home, you don't lose your job."
In Texas, data shows that the average annual pay for women who work full-time is nearly ten-thousand dollars less than that of men.
“We need to be better at our choices of jobs. If what is important to you is the pay, then you need to make sure that you make those choices that put you in that position. You don’t want to choose the very low salary job.”
Experts say there are things that women can do to possibly narrow the wage gap. Right out the gate, it’s suggested that women negotiate pay and benefits.
Also, don't be afraid to request raises, and they say take advantage of retirement planning early on.
Basically, be your own advocate.
"It is the fine line between saying I am worth more and look at what I'm doing and being strident."