“Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate” – John F. Kennedy.
Women empowerment is the word that we have been using consistently in the month of March every year. The market is full of mugs and art pieces and T-shirts with the word women empowerment printed on it. For many organisations it is a very good tag line to showcase their brand as sensitive and forward thinking but essentially do these exercises make any difference? According to a survey by the staffing firm Randstad in the US, sixty percent of women have never negotiated with an employer over their salary. Another survey points out that seventy seven percent of women accept their first salary with zero negotiation. Women who negotiate are perceived with disdain as demanding and controlling rather than being appreciated for their confidence. On the other hand the comparatively less educated or illiterate women who do manual labour are better at negotiating. The gender pay gap is relatively moderate among the blue collar category.
Negotiation is a key skill in business and career success. Good negotiation skills can turn a loss into a beneficial compromise. Business schools have now incorporated street smart negotiation instruction at a very pragmatic level in their curriculum. Negotiation skills are important not only in business or professional life but also in personal life. But then why is it that women fear negotiation and are ready to split the difference. Women, irrespective of their position in the organizational hierarchy are diffident to initiate a discussion on a higher salary package. It is the lack of knowledge of their value that makes women apprehensive about negotiating salary and other perks. The reluctance to negotiate salary will also affect a woman’s promotional possibilities, higher standard of living and peaceful retirement plan. The fear of offending or disturbing the boss deters them at work and at home the women think twice before asking the husband to share the household chores. Usually what happens in most families is arriving at compromises based on certain prejudiced ideas of gender responsibilities. Whereas a collaborative chat will give scope for negotiation rather than a one sided surrender. Decisions should be on the basis of discussions on every action like PTA meetings, birthday parties and vacations. Succumbing to the choice of action of your spouse based on his gender or the status of the “breadwinner” is not a respectful state of affairs.
Dr Delony Manuvel Ph.D.
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