Years ago, when I was just starting out as a freelance writer, I worked for one of those god-awful content mills where anonymous editors edit your work. I had a lot of trouble with editors being super aggressive and condescending, so I started using a male pen name and photo. The aggressive edits stopped.
So I tried doing it elsewhere. I started using a male photo on some freelancing sites, and I suddenly got more offers of work, and at a higher rate. When I reached out personally and the clients learned I was a woman, they tried to talk me down.
Gah, I've seen this happen to others too. Having a 'male' assistant suddenly makes it okay to be busy but otherwise you're an uptight bitch who can't make time for prospects, smh. I' sorry you went through that and I hope things are better now.
Thanks for reading, I appreciate that and your comment!
It's all societal conditioning. The notion about not asking a woman her age stems from a societal construct where youth = value. But a woman is more than just her body and looks, and so, her age shouldn't ever matter.
Same with salaries and money talks — these are neutral things that society has turned into something to hide or shame. I hope this post helps destigmatize some of it.
Please do share this article with anyone else you think might be interested. 🙌🏽
Thanks so much for reading. I truly appreciate your constant support. :)
Hi Baxter, first — thanks so much for reading and taking the time to write such an insightful comment.
It's so obvious in hindsight (and once you recognize it in play) that keeping salaries secret and making it a fire-able offense is literally a systemic way to increase profits and revenue without increasing pay. How extremely horrible and I can't tell you how much it angers me on your behalf (glad you got that MBA and bounced tbh).
I love this. And this story feels relevant:
Years ago, when I was just starting out as a freelance writer, I worked for one of those god-awful content mills where anonymous editors edit your work. I had a lot of trouble with editors being super aggressive and condescending, so I started using a male pen name and photo. The aggressive edits stopped.
So I tried doing it elsewhere. I started using a male photo on some freelancing sites, and I suddenly got more offers of work, and at a higher rate. When I reached out personally and the clients learned I was a woman, they tried to talk me down.
Really educational. Really depressing.
Gah, I've seen this happen to others too. Having a 'male' assistant suddenly makes it okay to be busy but otherwise you're an uptight bitch who can't make time for prospects, smh. I' sorry you went through that and I hope things are better now.
Thanks for reading, I appreciate that and your comment!
Truly a different perspective. Hardly seen people talking on this issue...
There is also a saying tht goes... *NEVER ASK BOY HIS SALARY & NEVER ASK THE GIRL HER AGE...
Your article reminded me of it.
And as rightly pointed, when we discuss money with others, we have a less chance of getting cheated too.
Nicely written. Waiting for your next one.
Thank you!
It's all societal conditioning. The notion about not asking a woman her age stems from a societal construct where youth = value. But a woman is more than just her body and looks, and so, her age shouldn't ever matter.
Same with salaries and money talks — these are neutral things that society has turned into something to hide or shame. I hope this post helps destigmatize some of it.
Please do share this article with anyone else you think might be interested. 🙌🏽
Thanks so much for reading. I truly appreciate your constant support. :)
Hi Baxter, first — thanks so much for reading and taking the time to write such an insightful comment.
It's so obvious in hindsight (and once you recognize it in play) that keeping salaries secret and making it a fire-able offense is literally a systemic way to increase profits and revenue without increasing pay. How extremely horrible and I can't tell you how much it angers me on your behalf (glad you got that MBA and bounced tbh).
And you're right! In the US now, more than a few states (New York and California come to mind https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/12/states-and-cities-where-employers-must-share-salary-ranges-when-hiring.html) have made it *mandatory * to share min and max salaries on the job posting and I'm so glad the law if finally getting better at protecting employees.