2. Topic: Equality Rights
Title: Play Fair with Fair Pay
(Adapted from It's Your Right - Student Manual, Department of the Secretary of State of Canada, 1988)
Level: Intermediate
Outcomes:
1. To explore the issue of equal pay.
2. To consider our values and feelings concerning the issue of equal pay for work of equal value.
Curriculum Connections:
Strategies and Activities:
Case Study:
Janet discovers during casual conversation with a male co-worker that he is paid $2.00 more per hour than she is. Both of them do exactly the same work. Janet thinks the situation is unfair, and though she doesn't want to upset or cause a problem for her co-worker, she decides to speak to her boss about the situation.
She approached Ms. Williams about the difference in pay and was advised to leave well enough alone and not to cause any trouble. She told Janet that in the past when the job was somewhat different for men and women, that men were paid more and this practice has continued.
Janet feels she's being treated unfairly but doesn't know what she should do next.
Finish this scenario, considering what you feel would be the next best move for Janet. Identify the outcome(s) of her next decision(s).
Note: Make sure that you check out Janet's and her employer's legal position in this situation.
Group Activity:
1. Mr. Mitchell and his partner Ms. Lacey own a small company that buys and distributes cleaning supplies to large and small businesses. The company can afford to pay out $9,000.00 in salaries each month.
2. The following positions are filled with the company:
Reception/Clerical
Two years training in accounting/office management/secretarial skills. Responsible for running and maintaining front office, as well as record keeping and accounting for inventory orders and operational expenses and transaction of the company.
Sales
High school graduate with 5 years experience in sales and promotion with a pharmaceutical company, as well as computer training. Responsible for all sales to customers, as well as identification and promotion of new products.
Distribution and Delivery
High school graduate, licence to operate transport truck. Responsible for distribution and delivery of products within the province, as well as planning delivery schedules, overseeing maintenance of trucks.
Inventory
High school graduate, 1-year community college program in inventory and warehouse control. Responsible for tracking incoming and outgoing inventory, as well as operation of moving equipment (i.e. forklift)
Building Maintenance
High school graduate with diploma in building maintenance, including certificate in basic electricity. Responsible for maintenance and repair related to cleaning, electrical/mechanical equipment (such as operation of garage doors) and heating and plumbing.
Task:
Assign monthly salaries to above positions (not exceeding the $9,000.00 allocation) based on qualifications, training and job responsibilities.
Implications for Teaching/Learning:
As follow-up and means of evaluation, students can
a) survey other students, the school or larger community regarding what they consider to be fair/equal pay for work of equal value.
b) Discuss legal and illegal reasons why people are paid unequal wages for what is or appears to be equal work. What is your personal responsibility related to work situations which pay wages which are illegal or unfair? What recourse would you have if your were in a situation where your felt you were not being paid the same or an equal wage compared to what other employees were being paid?