24 July 2016 /

While some industry experts admit that a pay gap creeps in as men and women reach the senior level, others deny any such disparity

Technology and IT are considered a man’s world. It takes a lot for a woman to choose technology as a career. Even in the US, women make up only 25 per cent of the workforce in technical or computing fields.

Studies have shown that India’s technology sector is seeing a nearly 30 per cent drop out among women employees after short career stints.

This despite many girls embracing STEM education and companies chalking out progressive policies, especially for the 28-40 age group, a time in the career cycle when employees are at their most productive.

Is it because women get the short end of the stick when it comes to pay in the IT industry? TimesJobs.com tries to find answers to this tricky question: Do women techies really earn less than male techies?

Asim Handa, CEO of Gi Group India, says that while the top IT companies make sure there is no such gap, unfortunately, women are paid less than men in many tech companies.

Men and women start at about the same level of salary while starting their careers in tech. They are promoted and given a fair salary hike in the early stages of their careers.

“But over time, the salary gaps start rising and by the time they have completed 10 years and they move upwards, the ceiling becomes harder to break for women,” Handa said.

This disparity is probably because the manager sees an impending sabbatical, maternity leave or marriage leave. In that case, the woman employee may not be seen as an asset to the organisation, added Handa.

But Neelam Salaria, senior project manager, Blue Star Infotech, said salary disparity is a myth.

Salary structure for various roles and designations are usually defined in almost all organisations. When an employer selects a candidate – whether male or female – it is based on merit. Salaries don’t change, she said.

However, Salaria admits that women may earn less due to career breaks. Women often have to take a sabbatical to be with family and bagging the right salary when joining back after a few years remains a challenge.

Then there is the “bro culture” that permeates in many companies where majority of the employees are men. Leaders at tech organisations need to be wary of this culture and ensure it is diffused early on.

Source: TimesJobs