Equal Pay for Equal Work

This "feminist" topic (as this article discussed on Crikey.com) has made it back to the news recently.  I have worked throughout the period where the "equal pay for work of equal value" has been in force, legally. As a worker in the Government sector, this has been applied fairly throughout my time. The profession is largely made up of women with many libraries being managed all the way up through the hierarchy, by women. However, being part of government our pay has been kept within strict guidelines.
The ability for the majority of workers to improve their pay is based on a few jobs where increased responsibility and workload is taken for granted, and unpaid for. As it is in the private sector.
Many of my colleagues have taken on the extra responsibilities and work far more hours than the Union negotiated hours. The effect has been obvious - family work, life balance and other obligations take a back seat.
The discussion of how to manage this expectation and its reality  has occurred with many of my friends, from scientists, town planners, doctors, library staff, IT professionals, pharmacists and others.
Three main approaches have been apparent:
1. To have a family, work part-time so one can care for the family and household. Consequences include lower pay, less superannuation, less fulfilling jobs and less commitment to workplaces.
2. Take on the higher positions, work like mad and hope like hell your health, family and relationships survive. Some have managed, some have suffered and some are still climbing the tree upwards.
3. Take on higher responsibilities for a while then downsize later in life in a variety of ways to reduce stress, increase life balance and look at other ways to use skills in a different arena. Again the net result is less pay, smaller super and generally less satisfaction. But also an awareness of choice.

To those youngsters who says there is no difference between the sexes and the statistics lie - think again. Just wait until things get really tough or you have a family, and see what the effects will be. The prejudice about the work women do is alive and well, with individual contracts and difficult financial times just waiting to cut them down.
Wait and see!