• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Bars, bowling alleys, and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health

2

As Trump balks again at escalating war, Iran smells ‘blood in the water’ and looks to exploit its newfound strategic advantage, experts say

3

The labor market could become so backward that the economy will have to shed jobs to keep unemployment steady

1

Bars, bowling alleys, and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health

2

As Trump balks again at escalating war, Iran smells ‘blood in the water’ and looks to exploit its newfound strategic advantage, experts say

3

The labor market could become so backward that the economy will have to shed jobs to keep unemployment steady
CommentaryLeadership

Why Women Should Never Disclose Their Salaries in a Job Interview

By
April Rassa
April Rassa
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
April Rassa
April Rassa
Down Arrow Button Icon
January 26, 2017, 2:00 AM ET
Giving advice
Photograph by David Woolfall—Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

The Leadership Insiders network is an online community where the most thoughtful and influential people in business contribute answers to timely questions about careers and leadership. Today’s answer to the question, “How can you play a role in advancing workplace equality?” is written by April Rassa, marketing executive for Progressly.

Large gender gaps still exist in the American workforce, and we should all be concerned about it. Gender equality, after all, is not just a women’s issue. It takes all of us to create an inclusive workplace environment where respect, collaboration, and connections are cultivated.

Companies should focus on these four critical objectives to get men and women alike to champion gender equality in the workplace:

Form discussion groups

One of the ways we’ve begun to address gender inequality here at Progressly is through establishing a Women’s Circle, which is a group of women that meet during lunch or after work once a month. We address topics we all care about—but rarely get to discuss—with other women who face similar challenges. It’s a time to slow down, reflect, connect, get inspired, and support each other.

With the tech industry’s growing focus on attracting more women, we think this forum provides a solid foundation upon which to start a dialogue around change and progress. We have several key women from a variety of departments, including engineering, involved in the group.

Encourage mentorship

Often out of fear of seeming “inappropriate,” men gravitate toward mentoring other men at work. Companies can alleviate this stress by implementing and supporting formal mentorship programs, matching junior women with more senior employees (of both genders) who can provide guidance and advice for advancement.

If your organization is too small or you’re worried about the time commitment, you can start a discussion group like our Women’s Circle. Another idea is to pair a single executive with eight to 10 women at a time, enabling leaders to mentor at scale.

Institute fair policies

Changing outcomes on a scale that will move the needle requires specific policy changes.

First, make sure your employees receive fair first promotions. Across corporate America, women and men enter the workforce at the same rates, but for every 100 women promoted to manager, 130 men are as well. This first promotion is critical. One way for organizations to make first promotions fair is by using clear and consistent criteria. Human resources leaders should solicit feedback from several management levels to clarify the performance expectations for each job.

 

Second, lengthen family leave time periods. When Google increased maternity leave from eight to 12 weeks, the rate of new mother attrition at the company dropped 50%.

Equalize wages

Companies serious about paying men and women equal wages shouldn’t ask what candidates were paid at their previous job. This practice perpetuates the wage gap that plagues many women and people of color, and assumes that prior salaries were fairly established. If you faced a pay gap and lost wages at your last job due to bias or discrimination, your new employer is now continuing the cycle if they ask you this question.

Instead, every position should have a pay range, with exceptions only allowed in special cases. Employers should also audit their payroll and increase pay for women who have been shortchanged.

Young people today want equality to be respected in their private and professional lives, and see a healthy work-life balance as crucial to their happiness. These demands present a huge opportunity for businesses to help women advance in the workplace.

About the Author
By April Rassa
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Commentary

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

Latest in Commentary

e
CommentaryAntitrust
Careful what you bid for: The Ellisons’ Paramount/WBD deal is slipping toward a costly legal and financial cliff
By Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Nell Minow and Stephen HenriquesAugust 3, 2026
7 hours ago
congress
Commentaryregulation
Congress needs an AI framework now
By Caleb KnappAugust 3, 2026
8 hours ago
AI changed what work looks like. Now the operating model must follow
Future of WorkCommentary
AI changed what work looks like. Now the operating model must follow
By Neil DharAugust 3, 2026
9 hours ago
t
CommentaryTariffs
Trump just invoked a 1930 tariff law no president has ever used — against Canada
By Caleb PetittAugust 2, 2026
1 day ago
SpaceAI could be Southeast Asia’s edge against El Niño—if governments actually use it
AsiaSatellites
SpaceAI could be Southeast Asia’s edge against El Niño—if governments actually use it
By Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano and Iuna TsyrulnevaAugust 2, 2026
2 days ago
250
Commentary250 Years of Innovation
America bet everything on trust 250 years ago. That bet is being tested again
By Keith KrachAugust 1, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

Bars, bowling alleys, and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health
North America
Bars, bowling alleys, and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health
By Catherina GioinoAugust 2, 2026
2 days ago
As Trump balks again at escalating war, Iran smells ‘blood in the water’ and looks to exploit its newfound strategic advantage, experts say
Middle East
As Trump balks again at escalating war, Iran smells ‘blood in the water’ and looks to exploit its newfound strategic advantage, experts say
By Jason MaAugust 2, 2026
1 day ago
The labor market could become so backward that the economy will have to shed jobs to keep unemployment steady
Economy
The labor market could become so backward that the economy will have to shed jobs to keep unemployment steady
By Jason MaAugust 1, 2026
2 days ago
Trump just invoked a 1930 tariff law no president has ever used — against Canada
Commentary
Trump just invoked a 1930 tariff law no president has ever used — against Canada
By Caleb PetittAugust 2, 2026
1 day ago
The average worker would need to save for 52 years to claw their way out of the middle class and be classified as wealthy, research reveals
Success
The average worker would need to save for 52 years to claw their way out of the middle class and be classified as wealthy, research reveals
By Orianna Rosa RoyleAugust 2, 2026
1 day ago
He was homeless at 16. Now he sits on the board of David Beckham's wellness company and his business is about to hit $1 billion in revenue
Success
He was homeless at 16. Now he sits on the board of David Beckham's wellness company and his business is about to hit $1 billion in revenue
By Emma BurleighAugust 2, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.