How Unpredictable Schedules Widen the Gender Pay Gap

Published January 4, 2023

The gender pay gap can remain even among workers with the same role, seniority, and pay structure. One reason is due to unpredictable scheduling. When schedules are unpredictable, women are less likely than men to be able to accept last-minute overtime opportunities and to work odd hours. Making schedules more predictable can help reduce the gap.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are other possible causes of the gender wage gap not discussed in the video?
2. Is it fair if women earn more than men for the same job? Why or why not?

Additional Resources:

• Read “Why Do Women Earn Less than Men? Evidence from Bus and Train Operators,” by Valentin Bolotnyy and Natalia Emanuel via Journal of Labor Economics. Available here.
• Read “How Unpredictable Schedules Widen the Gender Pay Gap,” by Valentin Bolotnyy and Natalia Emanuel via Harvard Business Review. Available here.
• Watch “Wealth, Poverty, and Politics,” with Thomas Sowell and Peter Robinson, on Uncommon Knowledge. Available here.