Lenka PincotChief of Staff to the CEO| Project Management InstituteParis, France
What is your explanation for gender wage gap in project management profession? I just checked the new PM salary report published on PMI site. You see that experience, certification, project complexity makes a difference in salary which makes sense. But gender difference is big though almost 40% of PMs in US are women so I don’t think that those 40% would all work on entry positions. Saving Changes...
I wonder if it could also be in the actual jobs reported as project manager. It seems to me that here in the states a lot of companies play fast and loose with the job title of "project manager", particularly in call centers and advertising (more push advertising than marketing). These jobs tend to be in low level, high turnover roles with more women than men. Just a guess based on conversations and sales calls over the years; absolutely no data.
That's a good point, just yesterday I received an email asking for a project manager with 2-3 years of experience, software engineer, technical artist or similar. Saving Changes...
My experience has been that it depends on the country and organizational culture. Being a millennial maybe I didn't experienced same that others, but I always had in N+1, N+2 positions women, that not only challenged me also support my professional development.
Wave point of view, no idea, I've never talked with my male peers about their salary conditions.
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1 reply by Lenka Pincot
Sep 25, 2018 1:20 PM
Lenka Pincot
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Thank you for your input, Mayte. I saw recently a post on LinkedIn that when it comes to salary, women and single men earn less than married man. The explanation was however that when a man earns money they are very likely to get married. It sounded funny at the first sight. My experience is that when a woman wants to earn big money she has to sacrifice a lot on a family side, big jobs require a lot of travel, flexibility, time. From certain point it is not only about skills or experience but also about ability to adjust to c-level job demands.
Saving Changes...
Shawna CantuCEO, Project Manager| Pursuit Project Management & Consulting, LLCKaty, Tx, United States
In my experience, the gender wage gaps are still quite prevalent. However, as mentioned, enterprise environmental factors play a huge role. I've been with companies that are primarily female and even then was the wage gap evident.
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1 reply by Lenka Pincot
Sep 25, 2018 1:23 PM
Lenka Pincot
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There is a lot of research done on the topic by McKinsey, they track gender gaps and enterprises for the last 10 years. It is definitely still a real thing.
Saving Changes...
Lenka PincotChief of Staff to the CEO| Project Management InstituteParis, France
Sep 25, 2018 9:29 AM
Replying to anonymous
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I would like to mention, in some countries sometimes women are not taken seriously when they look for project manager or senior roles. They might have similar experience as compared to men but during performance appraisal or promotion they get to hear the experience they do not have or things they cannot do. Sadly middle management might be biased and not encouraging and motivating enough.
This is an old question from me, thanks for digging this up:)
Yes, gender gap and diversity is definitely connected to local environment, culture, role of women in society. It is sad when someone has experience that as a women you are not taken seriously. It should not happen. Saving Changes...
Lenka PincotChief of Staff to the CEO| Project Management InstituteParis, France
Sep 25, 2018 11:43 AM
Replying to Mayte Mata Sivera
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My experience has been that it depends on the country and organizational culture. Being a millennial maybe I didn't experienced same that others, but I always had in N+1, N+2 positions women, that not only challenged me also support my professional development.
Wave point of view, no idea, I've never talked with my male peers about their salary conditions.
Thank you for your input, Mayte. I saw recently a post on LinkedIn that when it comes to salary, women and single men earn less than married man. The explanation was however that when a man earns money they are very likely to get married. It sounded funny at the first sight. My experience is that when a woman wants to earn big money she has to sacrifice a lot on a family side, big jobs require a lot of travel, flexibility, time. From certain point it is not only about skills or experience but also about ability to adjust to c-level job demands.
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1 reply by Mayte Mata Sivera
Sep 25, 2018 7:09 PM
Mayte Mata Sivera
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Or having a partner or a family environment that will adapt to our agenda and professional development.
Lately I read the book Lean In, and I ensure that was inspiring... I highly recommend it! I think that I'm recommending this book to all people that talk about gender gap. :)
Saving Changes...
Lenka PincotChief of Staff to the CEO| Project Management InstituteParis, France
Sep 25, 2018 12:27 PM
Replying to Shawna Cantu
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In my experience, the gender wage gaps are still quite prevalent. However, as mentioned, enterprise environmental factors play a huge role. I've been with companies that are primarily female and even then was the wage gap evident.
There is a lot of research done on the topic by McKinsey, they track gender gaps and enterprises for the last 10 years. It is definitely still a real thing. Saving Changes...
Thank you for your input, Mayte. I saw recently a post on LinkedIn that when it comes to salary, women and single men earn less than married man. The explanation was however that when a man earns money they are very likely to get married. It sounded funny at the first sight. My experience is that when a woman wants to earn big money she has to sacrifice a lot on a family side, big jobs require a lot of travel, flexibility, time. From certain point it is not only about skills or experience but also about ability to adjust to c-level job demands.
Or having a partner or a family environment that will adapt to our agenda and professional development.
Lately I read the book Lean In, and I ensure that was inspiring... I highly recommend it! I think that I'm recommending this book to all people that talk about gender gap. :) Saving Changes...
Wade HarshmanScrum Master| GDITIndianapolis, In, United States
Apr 04, 2018 7:23 AM
Replying to Sandra Maughon
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I wonder if it could also be in the actual jobs reported as project manager. It seems to me that here in the states a lot of companies play fast and loose with the job title of "project manager", particularly in call centers and advertising (more push advertising than marketing). These jobs tend to be in low level, high turnover roles with more women than men. Just a guess based on conversations and sales calls over the years; absolutely no data.
Sanda, that's an interesting observation. I've seen people with the title of "Project Manager" with professional duties ranging from secretarial work in an office to main foreman on a major construction site or project lead on billion dollar aerospace development. Project Management spans a wide range of industries and responsibilities, and we shouldn't expect everyone with the title of "project manager" to have similar pay. And we know that not all industries are equal when it comes to gender (for whatever reason... women could be indirectly or purposefully excluded, or simply not attracted to the work).
Do we have enough data to break down the project management wage gap by industry and see to what extent that could influence the gender wage gap? Saving Changes...
Adriana CibelliPM Consultant, PMP, CSM, SDIL1, PMO-CP, Management 3.0| activePMOCiudad De Buenos Aires, Argentina
Apr 03, 2018 10:05 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
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Haha no no I wasnn’t trying to say there is a statistical error but just trying to say it is not a big gap - Do you think 10% is a big gap ? :-)
Hello Rami! There would be no gap at all! I think that gender aspects show that we have to improve as a society, these are very “antique” considerations regarding women.
Personally I think that many women give priority to raising their children and choose being not so active at work and in that case, they do not deserve the same wage that people (being women or men) that work more intensively, but not because of gender.
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2 replies by Lenka Pincot and Rami Kaibni
Sep 26, 2018 4:29 PM
Rami Kaibni
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I like your thoughts and input Adriana
Sep 27, 2018 3:57 PM
Lenka Pincot
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Hi Adriana, I think it is actually very tough for women to choose not to be so active and give priority to raise children. Not all women have grandmas that would take care of their kids. Putting little babies to day care is not the best way how to make their start for life yet still many women have only this option. Nannies are quite expensive.
I believe women should not be penalized because they are responsible and want to raise their kids right and therefore take a career break to give their time to family. It is very difficult to get back to work after having kids, you are already seen as unreliable or not committed enough because you took that break.
Saving Changes...
Adriana CibelliPM Consultant, PMP, CSM, SDIL1, PMO-CP, Management 3.0| activePMOCiudad De Buenos Aires, Argentina
Apr 03, 2018 10:15 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
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I think over the coming years you will find the gap closing and don’t be surprised if you see it reversed in favor of the female Gender. Do you see that coming ?
It would not be good neither! You do not deserve better conditions because of gender but because of your strengths, knowledge and performance. Saving Changes...
