Gender divide still divides workplace

A much higher percentage of women than men feel that women don’t get equal pay for doing the exact same job – a finding that is echoed by similar sentiments over promotions, flex-time benefits and even loans, according to a recent poll from Harris Interactive. There is also a notable difference of generational opinion on a number of these topic points. “In ninety years, many things have changed for women in this country,” according to Regina Corso, director of The Harris Poll. “Some may argue things are better. But there is still the undercurrent that there are issues – especially when it comes to pay and employment – where things have not yet approached an equal footing with men. Women are sitting in more boardrooms and at the helms of more companies today. But there is a sense they are not yet getting paid the same as men in those positions.” The poll was conducted online among 2,227 adults. Here are some of the highlights – including one surprising point about decorum upon which both women and men wholeheartedly agree.

80 percent of women say that females often do not receive the same pay as men for the same job; only 58 percent of men agree.

55 percent of men believe that things are “fine” between the genders, but only 32 percent of women believe this to be true.

74 percent of women say that the U.S. has a long way to go to reach complete gender equality, but only 52 percent of men feel the same way.

75 percent of women feel that females face discrimination in promotions for supervisory/executive positions; 48 percent of men agree.

60 percent of men say employers will make work flexible enough to help women with families; 46 percent of women feel the same way.

46 percent of women see discrimination in the insurance rates they pay; 29 percent of males surveyed say this is true.

51 percent of women think it’s harder for them to get credit, bank loans and mortgages; 33 percent of men agree.

58 percent of women say they get lower pensions or pay more for annuities than men doing the same work; 42 percent of men agree.

72 percent of Baby Boomers say that women do not receive the same pay as men for doing the same job; 64 percent of Gen Xers agree.

Half of Baby Boomers say women have more trouble getting credit, bank loans and mortgages; 32 percent of Gen Xers say that this is true.

81 percent of women and men agree that women today are treated with less chivalry than in the past. –Dennis McCafferty