PLAYBOOK
Step 1:
Secure Buy-in from Leaders
Securing Buy-in: A Crucial First Step
Leadership buy-in is critical to drive meaningful change. Secure buy-in for your pay equity initiative by highlighting the ways it aligns with your organization’s goals. While many companies may ultimately take action on pay equity because it’s the right thing to do, consider using business framing rather than moral framing when it comes to gaining leadership's support.
Strategies from California Employers
Beginner
Expect that it may take time, and multiple conversations, to bring everyone on board.
What might this look like? Imagine a newly hired HR lead at a small tech startup wants to begin a pay equity initiative. Knowing that decision-makers care about data-driven proposals, they collect data, research industry benchmarks, and present findings to leadership. They emphasize that tackling pay equity will require a multi-phase approach and start by seeking initial approval to build a detailed plan and budget.
Check out our conversation
guide with supporting facts
Tools to Secure Buy-in from Leaders
Conversation Guide: Use this guide to start talking about pay equity at your organization.
Understanding the Gender Wage Gap: Issue brief by the Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor (available in English and Spanish).
A Window Into the Wage Gap by the National Women’s Law Center.
California Equal Pay Act FAQ by the California Department of Industrial Relations.