afo@pucc-k (Laurie J. Sefton) (02/19/85)
A few comments on the possible consequences of a "comparable worth" law: 1.) Increased taxes in the public sector. As wages for currently unpaid jobs increase, so do the taxes to pay them. Parity doesn't come cheap. 2.) A movement of industries in the private sector. Industries in states that pass laws that will implement fair wage laws in the private sector will move to states that don't. 3.) Jobs will be reclassified to a lower level (given lower qualifications, and lower salaries), and industry will hire over-qualified applicants only. 4.) As a few positions that are unable (due to other extant laws) to be reclassified reach parity with other professions, men will tend to dominate these fields (remember, when being a secretary was considered a *real* job by the status quo, it was male dominated. As women moved into the field, it lost its status in the workplace) In the final analysis, what will probably be the result of such a law is increased taxes, a few lawsuits as states attempt to enforce parity of pay, yet another layer added to the hiring process, and a movement of males to a few professions. BTW, if you want a quick explanation of what job analysis/job evaluation entails, write to me. If I get enough responses, I'll post, otherwise, I'll mail. -- Laurie Sefton {harpo,ihnp4,allegra,decvax}!pur-ee!pucc-h!afo {decwrl}purdue!pur-ee!pucc-h!afo No more tears, no more wasted days, no more empty nights...