Salary Inequity in Social Work: A Review of the Knowledge and Call to Action

Fifty years after the Equal Pay Act of 1963, research continues to find disparities between the salaries of men and women across disciplines. This study examines empirical evidence about salary and gender within the social work profession from the 1960s to present day. All available articles with em...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Affilia 2015-08, Vol.30 (3), p.363-379
Main Authors: Lane, Shannon R., Flowers, Theresa D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Sex discrimination
Social justice
Social work
Social workers
Systematic review
Wage differential
Wages & salaries
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Summary:Fifty years after the Equal Pay Act of 1963, research continues to find disparities between the salaries of men and women across disciplines. This study examines empirical evidence about salary and gender within the social work profession from the 1960s to present day. All available articles with empirical data regarding salary and gender during the time period were included in this systematic review. Salary disparities were found between men and women in the vast majority of studies. The authors classify contributing factors into three categories (a) characteristics of the employing organizations, (b) characteristics of the position held, and (c) characteristics of the individual, and include a discussion of factors relevant to social workers in academic positions. The researchers recommend legislative policy changes, best practices in organizational policy, and proactive education within social work programs. Social workers have the opportunity to effect change in this area by promoting social justice within our society, practice, and educational institutions.
ISSN:0886-1099
1552-3020
DOI:10.1177/0886109915572843