Generally, Women tend to face more problems than men in their
careers in a way or some other way: But, mainly there are three
negotiation myths that are destroying women’s potential to seize
opportunities and overcome barriers in their respective careers.
Myth: 1 – Only men should negotiate and women don’t
The first misconception is that only men should negotiate but in
reality, both men and women struggle while trying to negotiate for
resources that are stereotypical for them for example, In our society,
the gender roles are specified for both men and women, men have
generally considered breadwinners for the family and women as
home-makers, due to this women frequently face more obstacles
while negotiating for higher pay and men face more obstacles than
women while trying family-friendly work practices.
Thus, for gender equality, women should have an equal potential to
negotiate their pay, and men should also have an equal opportunity to
access family-friendly work practices.
Myth: 2 – Women should negotiate pay
The second misconception is, women should always negotiate their
pay to reduce the gender wage gap. The gender wage gap is
determined by comparing the earnings of both male and female full-
time workers, but, given that the gender wage gap is more about the
types of professions that men and women hold than it is about, pay
differences for the same work, thus it is unjust to throw this weight on
women. Supporting women’s occupational advancement into higher-
paying jobs is the key to closing the gender wage gap.
MYTH: 3 – Backlash is uncertain
Several professional women approach career negotiations with
apprehension because they worry about social repercussions like
alienation by co-workers or even being excluded from work teams.
Organisations can prevent this through education and norm-setting.
Through education, companies should encourage employers and
employees to think about all the aspects that what can and cannot be
negotiated in career conversion including workload, roles, and pay.
To deal with the negotiation, women can practice being more
persuasive and should start practicing building healthy relationships.
Source : Harvard Business Review