Gender Wage Gap In Australia
Essay Plan B
Several explanations have been put forward to explain why the gender-wage gap persists in Australia. Pick two and critically evaluate each. Summary of Argument: Recent history has shown a dramatic increase in the proportion of female workers in the labour market (Loudon, McPhail & Wilkonson 2009). With workplace diversity on the rise in Australia (French, Lewis & Phetmany 2000), legislation and changing cultural values have changed the way these women have been able to enter the workforce. Legislation such as the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 has made it unlawful to discriminate against anyone on the basis of their gender, family commitments/choices or marital status throughout all areas of employment (Sex Discrimination Act 1984 …show more content…
(Cwlth), s. 14). Although, in a society seemingly open to women in the workforce, a firm wage gap of 15-17% between men and women still persists in Australia (Cassells, Miranti McNamara & Vidyattama 2009). Research has shown over the past forty years this gap has remained substantial regardless of monumental judgements by the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission since 1969 promoting equal pay for work of equal value (Baron & Cobb-Clark 2010). This essay will analyse two dominant explanations to why the gender wage gap persists in Australia. Firstly it will argue that determinants relating to the attainment of human capital and its rewards such as higher wages (Baum 2002, Cassel et al 2009, Olsen & Walby 2004 & Semli 2000) have a direct effect on gender wage differences. Secondly, the essay argues that occupational segregation (Baron & Cobb-Clark 2010) and rigidities within the labour market due to discrimination (Olsen & Walby 2002) effectively explain why the gap persists. Within this second argument, the essay will further explore the flow on effects of occupational segregation and the historical impacts it has had. “We got equal pay once, then we got it again, and then we got it again, and now we still don’t have it.” (Gaudron as citied in Pocock 1999, p. 279) Definition of Key Terms: The gender wage gap can be defined as the consistent difference between the pay and awards for men and women within the labour market (Loudoun, McPhail & Wilkinson 2009). Empirical research by numerous sources concludes there are many explanations to why it exists (Cassells et al 2009).
Amie 8/31/11 5:35 AM
Comment: Full stop after the citation. Best to paraphrase.
Amie 8/31/11 5:33 AM
Comment: Good points made
Amie 8/31/11 5:34 AM
Comment: Indent ot double space between paragraphs
Amie 8/31/11 5:34 AM
Comment: Would have liked to have seen a couple of sentences on the overall argument of the essay
Amie 8/31/11 5:33 AM
Comment: This essay will
Body: Key point One: Cassells et al (2009) argue how skills, knowledge and experience considered of high value to employers are calculated differently between men and women due to interruptions to work such as child-bearing.
Supportive work of Baum (2002), Walby & Olsen (2004), Selmi (2000) and Budig & England (2001) agree that withdrawals from the workplace by women due to family choices/commitments has a huge impact on their acquisition of human capital and is a “legitimate source of earnings differences” (Walby and Olsen 2004, p. v). Key Point Two: Cassells et al (2009) indicate that occupational segregation within the labour market is an important explanation for lower female wages. Baron & Cobb-Clark (2010) argue that the affect of labour market position and job status has heavy implications on employment outcomes/returns. This is particularly apparent among high-wage earners where a strong presence of glass ceilings is felt (Kee 2006). Olsen & Walby (2002) also explore labour market rigidities and market failures in the form of discrimination. Watts (2003) argues that an “inefficiency of labour market matching processes” (Watts 2003, p. 651) exists in Australia. The flow on effects of occupational segregation such as low female unionisation rates and its historical implications are also examined by Loudoun, McPhail & Wilkinson (2009). Conclusion: In conclusion, there are many explanations for the continuing gender-wage gap in Australia, each which are supported by …show more content…
extensive empirical research. This essay has analysed two of these explanations that suggest determinants relating to human capital and labour market segregation (due to discrimination and rigidities) are to blame. Both arguments are relevant to the Australian workplace today and expose concerning questions regarding the future trends within the labour market surrounding women’s wages. References: Baron, J & Cobb-Clark, D 2010, ‘Occupational Segregation and the Gender Wage Gap in Private- and Public-Sector Employment: A Distributional Analysis’, Economic Record, vol 86, no. 273, pp. 227-246 Baum, C 2002, ‘The Effect of Work Interruptions on Women’s Wages’, Labour, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 1-37
Amie 8/31/11 5:36 AM
Comment: Good
Amie 8/31/11 5:36 AM
Comment: Use ‘and’ outside brackets, and & inside brackets – revise document
Amie 8/31/11 5:35 AM
Comment: &
Amie 8/31/11 5:36 AM
Comment: Perhaps split this point into two
Budig, M & England, P 2001, ‘The Wage Penalty for Motherhood’, American Sociological Review, vol.
66, no. 2, pp. 204-225 Cassells, R, Miranti, R, McNara, J & Vidyattama, Y 2009, The impact of a sustained gender wage gap on the Australian economy, National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (University of Canberra), Canberra French, E, Lewis, D & Phetmany, T 2000, ‘Cross-Cultural Diversity, Leadership and Workplace Relations in Australia’, Asia Pacific Business Review, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 105-124 Kee, H 2006, ‘Glass Ceiling or Sticky Floor? Exploring the Australian Gender Pay Gap’, Economic Record, vol. 82, no. 259, pp. 408 – 427 Loudoun, McPhail & Wilkinson 2009, Introduction to Employment Relations, 2nd edn, Pearson Australia, New South Wales, Australia Olsen, W & Walby, S 2004, Modelling Gender Wage Gaps, Equal Opportunities Commission, Manchester, UK Olsen, W & Walby, S 2002, The impact of women’s position in the labour market on pay and implications for UK productivity, Women and Equality Unit, London, UK Pocock, B 1999, ‘Equal Pay Thirty Years On: The Policy and Practice’, Australian Economic Review, vol. 32 no. 3, pp 279–285 Selmi, M 2000, ‘Family leave and the Gender Wage Gap’, North Carolina Law Review, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 707-782 Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Commonwealth of Australia) s. 14, viewed 20th August 2011, http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2011C00443 Watts, M 2003, ‘The Evolution of Occupational Gender Segregation in Australia: Measurement and
Interpretation’, Australian Journal of Labour Economics, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 631-655
Amie 8/31/11 5:37 AM
Comment: Need fullstop at the end of each reference Great use of the academic literature
1001 EHR ESSAY PLAN SEMESTER 2 2011
Student name:
Tutor: Tutorial Time:
Mark and Comments Summary of Argument (3 marks) 2.5
Argument is stated clearly in the introduction or conclusion. It is clearly indicated whether the student agrees, disagrees or both Would have liked to have seen a couple of sentences on the overall agree/disagree with the statement. argument of the essay Student clearly sets out why they will argue this way.
Definitions of Key Terms (1 mark) Clearly defines key terms and indicates source of scholarly definition. The student does not just use a dictionary definition. List of Points & Supporting Arguments (4 marks)
1
Good
3
List the key points and supporting arguments that the essay will include, with a brief summary of each. Each point/argument is accompanied by at least one in-text reference.
More clarity needed with Point 2 – perhaps split up and create another point
Organization of Points/Structure of Essay (1 mark) The points/arguments are presented in logical sequence.
1 Good
Reference List/Evidence of Research (1 mark) Correctly referenced list of at least 8 academic references.
1
Great use of the academic literature. Students can include more than 8 references. If so, non-academic references such as news stories etc can be included. Some minor technical and grammatical errors. 8.5/10
Total marks
Additional Comments: Great points made, good use of the literature. Minor technical errors.
Several explanations have been put forward to explain why the gender-wage gap persists in Australia. Pick two and critically evaluate each. Summary of Argument: Recent history has shown a dramatic increase in the proportion of female workers in the labour market (Loudon, McPhail & Wilkonson 2009). With workplace diversity on the rise in Australia (French, Lewis & Phetmany 2000), legislation and changing cultural values have changed the way these women have been able to enter the workforce. Legislation such as the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 has made it unlawful to discriminate against anyone on the basis of their gender, family commitments/choices or marital status throughout all areas of employment (Sex Discrimination Act 1984 …show more content…
(Cwlth), s. 14). Although, in a society seemingly open to women in the workforce, a firm wage gap of 15-17% between men and women still persists in Australia (Cassells, Miranti McNamara & Vidyattama 2009). Research has shown over the past forty years this gap has remained substantial regardless of monumental judgements by the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission since 1969 promoting equal pay for work of equal value (Baron & Cobb-Clark 2010). This essay will analyse two dominant explanations to why the gender wage gap persists in Australia. Firstly it will argue that determinants relating to the attainment of human capital and its rewards such as higher wages (Baum 2002, Cassel et al 2009, Olsen & Walby 2004 & Semli 2000) have a direct effect on gender wage differences. Secondly, the essay argues that occupational segregation (Baron & Cobb-Clark 2010) and rigidities within the labour market due to discrimination (Olsen & Walby 2002) effectively explain why the gap persists. Within this second argument, the essay will further explore the flow on effects of occupational segregation and the historical impacts it has had. “We got equal pay once, then we got it again, and then we got it again, and now we still don’t have it.” (Gaudron as citied in Pocock 1999, p. 279) Definition of Key Terms: The gender wage gap can be defined as the consistent difference between the pay and awards for men and women within the labour market (Loudoun, McPhail & Wilkinson 2009). Empirical research by numerous sources concludes there are many explanations to why it exists (Cassells et al 2009).
Amie 8/31/11 5:35 AM
Comment: Full stop after the citation. Best to paraphrase.
Amie 8/31/11 5:33 AM
Comment: Good points made
Amie 8/31/11 5:34 AM
Comment: Indent ot double space between paragraphs
Amie 8/31/11 5:34 AM
Comment: Would have liked to have seen a couple of sentences on the overall argument of the essay
Amie 8/31/11 5:33 AM
Comment: This essay will
Body: Key point One: Cassells et al (2009) argue how skills, knowledge and experience considered of high value to employers are calculated differently between men and women due to interruptions to work such as child-bearing.
Supportive work of Baum (2002), Walby & Olsen (2004), Selmi (2000) and Budig & England (2001) agree that withdrawals from the workplace by women due to family choices/commitments has a huge impact on their acquisition of human capital and is a “legitimate source of earnings differences” (Walby and Olsen 2004, p. v). Key Point Two: Cassells et al (2009) indicate that occupational segregation within the labour market is an important explanation for lower female wages. Baron & Cobb-Clark (2010) argue that the affect of labour market position and job status has heavy implications on employment outcomes/returns. This is particularly apparent among high-wage earners where a strong presence of glass ceilings is felt (Kee 2006). Olsen & Walby (2002) also explore labour market rigidities and market failures in the form of discrimination. Watts (2003) argues that an “inefficiency of labour market matching processes” (Watts 2003, p. 651) exists in Australia. The flow on effects of occupational segregation such as low female unionisation rates and its historical implications are also examined by Loudoun, McPhail & Wilkinson (2009). Conclusion: In conclusion, there are many explanations for the continuing gender-wage gap in Australia, each which are supported by …show more content…
extensive empirical research. This essay has analysed two of these explanations that suggest determinants relating to human capital and labour market segregation (due to discrimination and rigidities) are to blame. Both arguments are relevant to the Australian workplace today and expose concerning questions regarding the future trends within the labour market surrounding women’s wages. References: Baron, J & Cobb-Clark, D 2010, ‘Occupational Segregation and the Gender Wage Gap in Private- and Public-Sector Employment: A Distributional Analysis’, Economic Record, vol 86, no. 273, pp. 227-246 Baum, C 2002, ‘The Effect of Work Interruptions on Women’s Wages’, Labour, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 1-37
Amie 8/31/11 5:36 AM
Comment: Good
Amie 8/31/11 5:36 AM
Comment: Use ‘and’ outside brackets, and & inside brackets – revise document
Amie 8/31/11 5:35 AM
Comment: &
Amie 8/31/11 5:36 AM
Comment: Perhaps split this point into two
Budig, M & England, P 2001, ‘The Wage Penalty for Motherhood’, American Sociological Review, vol.
66, no. 2, pp. 204-225 Cassells, R, Miranti, R, McNara, J & Vidyattama, Y 2009, The impact of a sustained gender wage gap on the Australian economy, National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (University of Canberra), Canberra French, E, Lewis, D & Phetmany, T 2000, ‘Cross-Cultural Diversity, Leadership and Workplace Relations in Australia’, Asia Pacific Business Review, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 105-124 Kee, H 2006, ‘Glass Ceiling or Sticky Floor? Exploring the Australian Gender Pay Gap’, Economic Record, vol. 82, no. 259, pp. 408 – 427 Loudoun, McPhail & Wilkinson 2009, Introduction to Employment Relations, 2nd edn, Pearson Australia, New South Wales, Australia Olsen, W & Walby, S 2004, Modelling Gender Wage Gaps, Equal Opportunities Commission, Manchester, UK Olsen, W & Walby, S 2002, The impact of women’s position in the labour market on pay and implications for UK productivity, Women and Equality Unit, London, UK Pocock, B 1999, ‘Equal Pay Thirty Years On: The Policy and Practice’, Australian Economic Review, vol. 32 no. 3, pp 279–285 Selmi, M 2000, ‘Family leave and the Gender Wage Gap’, North Carolina Law Review, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 707-782 Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Commonwealth of Australia) s. 14, viewed 20th August 2011, http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2011C00443 Watts, M 2003, ‘The Evolution of Occupational Gender Segregation in Australia: Measurement and
Interpretation’, Australian Journal of Labour Economics, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 631-655
Amie 8/31/11 5:37 AM
Comment: Need fullstop at the end of each reference Great use of the academic literature
1001 EHR ESSAY PLAN SEMESTER 2 2011
Student name:
Tutor: Tutorial Time:
Mark and Comments Summary of Argument (3 marks) 2.5
Argument is stated clearly in the introduction or conclusion. It is clearly indicated whether the student agrees, disagrees or both Would have liked to have seen a couple of sentences on the overall agree/disagree with the statement. argument of the essay Student clearly sets out why they will argue this way.
Definitions of Key Terms (1 mark) Clearly defines key terms and indicates source of scholarly definition. The student does not just use a dictionary definition. List of Points & Supporting Arguments (4 marks)
1
Good
3
List the key points and supporting arguments that the essay will include, with a brief summary of each. Each point/argument is accompanied by at least one in-text reference.
More clarity needed with Point 2 – perhaps split up and create another point
Organization of Points/Structure of Essay (1 mark) The points/arguments are presented in logical sequence.
1 Good
Reference List/Evidence of Research (1 mark) Correctly referenced list of at least 8 academic references.
1
Great use of the academic literature. Students can include more than 8 references. If so, non-academic references such as news stories etc can be included. Some minor technical and grammatical errors. 8.5/10
Total marks
Additional Comments: Great points made, good use of the literature. Minor technical errors.