Q: How can I detect and avoid a gender pay gap in my business?
A: Nationwide women are paid approximately 80% of what men are paid; 78% in Missouri. Employers can take steps to avoid perpetuating this gap. First, establish a compensation structure including salary ranges for positions; remove inquiries about prior salary from your employment application; avoid asking candidates and prior employers about their salary history; and focus your hiring conversation on the predefined salary range. Lastly, conduct a thorough compensation analysis of your current staff to identify issues.