Unequal Ground Report – Occupational Segregation’s Impact on Women in NYC

Women Creating Change is thrilled to announce the release of the second report in our eye-opening series exploring the persistent gender pay gap in New York City. This latest report, Unequal Ground: The Impact of Industrial and Occupational Segregation on Women’s Economic Outcomes in New York City, has been developed in partnership with The New School Center for New York City Affairs.

Unequal Ground provides an in-depth analysis of how the uneven distribution of men and women across various job types and economic sectors contributes to wage disparities and perpetuates economic inequity. The report highlights how occupational and industrial segregation within the NYC workforce impacts wage differences, lifetime earnings, retirement security, and overall economic independence for women.

To address these issues, the report outlines comprehensive strategies designed to dismantle these entrenched barriers.

Policy recommendations:

• Expanding and enforcing pay transparency requirements, strengthening protections against salary history questions, and ensuring public sector pay equity;
• Modernizing New York State’s temporary disability insurance (TDI) program, financing unemployment benefits on a sound basis, and enacting the Working Families Tax Credit;
• Providing education, mentorship, and career development at all ages as well as expanding policies to allow flexible work schedules, remote work, and parental leave; and
• Supporting women working in the care sector (human services and childcare) by increasing wages and protections and providing high-quality, free childcare.

Explore the findings and recommendations in Unequal Ground and join us in our commitment to creating a more equitable future for all women in New York City.