Traditionally, women were less present in the workplace, but over the last century, that has changed significantly. However, despite the increase of women in the workplace, they are often still underpaid and underappreciated for their work in corporate America. If you want to improve your business’s image and provide a more equitable working environment, closing the pay gap can help you to reach your goals.

Look at the Numbers

You can’t start to address the pay gap at your company if you don’t know what your pay looks like. Many companies choose not to address the problem of the pay gap because they assume it doesn’t exist in their business. It is important to take a look at the numbers so you can understand how your female employees’ pay compares to that of their male counterparts. You should also consider your promoting practices: 

For example, see whether women are being promoted as they gain skills and expertise like the men at your business.

Offer Flexible Working Hours

One of the difficulties that women have in the workplace is that they are often responsible for more of the tasks in their home lives. This can make it difficult for them to work a normal nine-to-five schedule. Offering flexibility can help to close this gap and allow women to pursue their career goals, even while raising their families. 

Men are generally already allowed this possibility since the cultural homelife dynamics have continued to favor men even while the situation in the workplace has changed. Many companies today are discovering that flexibility also provides results, which means you will get better work along the way.

Have Open Communication

One of the problems that modern businesses have when it comes to the pay gap is that they are close-lipped about their pay practices. If you want to implement positive change around the pay gap, you have to commit to open communication around salary and benefits. Implementing an open policy where employees are able to see the salaries of the other people they work with can go a long way towards closing the pay gap. When employees understand how their pay fits into the general salaries of your business, your female employees in particular are empowered to achieve better pay.

Closing the pay gap is essential to creating a more equal and functional society. You can be part of this change for good if you make it a point to make your own business a more equitable place. Implement important changes in your business that move you toward your goals of equality for your employees.

Did you enjoy this article? Here’s more to read: How to Think More Long-Term About Your Business