In his recent article in Life & Arts, Tom Harford highlights the negative impact that allowing “greedy” jobs can have on women’s earnings. While he specifically mentions high-earning jobs, this practice also affects women who work part-time, leading to long-term effects on their careers and financial stability.
Harford argues that being labeled as a part-timer can limit women’s career opportunities and undervalue their qualifications and competences, ultimately leading to under-rewarded salaries. This is not only unfair but also serves as an irrational barrier to women’s performance, given that women now outperform men educationally in many OECD countries.
To address these issues, it is crucial to go beyond just addressing “greedy” jobs and consider the broader impact of part-time work on women’s careers. Changes need to be made to create more equitable opportunities for women in the workforce, recognizing the value of their skills and contributions. This will not only benefit individual women but also contribute to a more diverse and inclusive workplace culture.