Fight the gender pay gap

● The gender pay gap is not about companies routinely paying men more than women, it is the result of several factors, including the choices women have been socialised to make.

But Lindiwe Sebesho, master reward specialist and executive committee member of the South African Reward Association, wants women to take more control and learn more about the skills that earn larger salaries.

She has the following advice:

● Do your homework. Find out all you can about pay practices in different sectors and develop a good understanding of how remuneration packages are structured in both financial and nonfinancial benefit terms;

● Know what people doing the jobs you are looking at get paid, so you can assess the fairness of any offers you receive;

● Getting your “dream job” is the beginning of your successful career, not the end point;

● Women are often reluctant to show off when they do well at work. Communicate your success and ensure that people who should know are aware of how you are delivering against your goals and contributing to the company’s success, she says.