Inside the Pay Gap: What’s Changing for Women at Work

Host: Steve Boese

Guest: Noreen Farrell, Executive Director at Equal Rights Advocates

Summary

On this episode of At Work in America, Steve is joined by Noreen Farrell from Equal Rights Advocates to break down what’s really happening with pay equity, transparency, and workplace fairness right now.

As policy enforcement shifts and cultural expectations evolve, they explore why progress on gender and racial equity is becoming more uneven—and in some cases, reversing. From the widening pay gap to the pressures pushing women out of the workforce, this conversation connects the dots between legislation, workplace practices, and lived employee experience.

It’s an honest look at where things stand, what’s at risk, and what organizations can do to move forward with intention.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pay Equity and Workplace Fairness

02:41 The Role of Equal Rights Advocates

05:36 Changes in Enforcement and Challenges in Workplace Rights

08:40 Impact of Societal Changes on Women in the Workforce

11:06 Wage Gap Trends

15:37 Strategies for Pay Equity and Transparency

20:47 The Importance of High Standards in Employment Practices

23:35 Opportunities for Employers to Advocate for Change

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