Jan 29, 2009

Equity

The Lilly Ledbetter Act was signed today! Thank you people of America.

5 comments:

Mike Lyons said...

I have mixed feelings about it. I will say that I think the idea behind the law is entirely just.

It pretty much guarantees that I'll never hire anybody as long as I live. I'm too dumb to create and maintain all the documentation that goes along with it these days. That's great for the economy, I'm sure.

Jenny said...

As long as employers pay women the same as men for the same work, they don't have to worry about it.

Mike Lyons said...

But, I've never worked some place where people did the same work. I mean, when you come to my work, who ever helps you does the same thing as anybody else would, but when you walk out the door, I'm the one who's stuck processing claims. One of the girls does the accounts. So should she get paid the same as me (all else being equal)? Maybe. But, I used to do accounts, and could do them again. If she had to do the claims, she wouldn't have a clue. Does that change things? Probably. But, just because that reasoning makes sense to me doesn't mean you agree. And, ten years from now when she sues because she's paid less (I honestly have no idea), is my boss going to remember that distinction? It sure isn't documented (as far as I know).

Like I said, I think the intention is noble; I just think reality is problematic.

Mike Lyons said...

Also, ten years from now my boss will be retired, and who's going to remember it then?

Jenny said...

That's why performance reviews are important.