The pay gap between male and female workers is widely believed to be caused by rampant discrimination in the workplace. But new research suggests another factor plays an even greater role in this issue.
One major reason the gender pay gap continues to exist is because a greater number of men are more likely to work 50 or more hours per week than their female colleagues.
That’s according to a recent study by the American Sociological Review.
The ‘Overwork’ factor
These extra hours, which are commonly referred to as “overwork,” result in an extra 6% in hourly wages, on average, across all positions, according to the study.
The study also found that these overwork hours have increased the pay gap by nearly 10%.
The American Sociological Review research also suggested that women are less likely to enter and stay in a job that demands overworking. One major reason: The study found that women are still more responsible for housework and childcare than men.
In addition, a 2011 report by Catalyst, Inc., on pay found that a willingness to log longer hours in the office is one of the biggest reasons men make more take-home pay.
This post was originally posted on our affiliated site: HR Benefits Alert.