Glassdoor wants to know your real name 😵

Hey there! Hannah here. Last week, we shared the bad news that Virginia’s governor vetoed pay transparency legislation. 

So today, we’re switching things up with some good news: Colorado is officially outpacing the gender pay gap! 🎉

Since implementing its pay transparency laws in 2021, pay for full-time working women in Colorado increased from 78 cents to 85 cents for every dollar paid to their male counterparts. 

Here’s to salary transparency laws closing the pay gap, one cent at a time.

 1   Michigan and Minnesota propose salary transparency bills 🙌

The #salarytransparency movement is gaining momentum. Earlier this month, Michigan and Minnesota introduced salary transparency bills to boost pay equity. Let’s zoom in: 

Minnesota ➜ Under this bill (HF 3587), businesses with over 30 employees would have to disclose salary ranges in their job postings. 

• It’s much-needed legislation: Minnesota ranks 20th in gender wage gaps. That pay gap costs the average Minnesotan woman $447,960 in wages throughout her career. 

• But Minnesota is on the right path: On January 1, 2024, its salary history ban went into effect, preventing employers from using past salaries to determine wages. 

Michigan ➜ House Bill 5619 would require employers to list the essential duties of the job, the required training, working conditions, schedule, and of course, salary. 

• This isn’t Michigan’s first rodeo. In early 2023, lawmakers introduced two other salary transparency-related bills—but they didn’t make it past the state’s House and Senate. 

• But Michigan might soon be having a change of heart: Last Wednesday, the Senate Oversight Committee approved a similar bill that increases pay transparency in government projects. Could Bill 5619 be next? 

We're hopeful both bills will pass (if they do, you’ll be the first to know). If you’re unsure whether your state has any salary transparency laws in place, our interactive map has got you covered.

 2   Glassdoor isn’t as anonymous as you think 🙃

“Is nothing sacred?” — Glassdoor users right now. The company-ratings website, known for its anonymous (and brutally honest) employer reviews, is now requiring users to provide their full name, title, and employer to access their accounts. 

• Context: In the past, users could sign up for Glassdoor with just their email address—no personal info required. 

Glassdoor insists people can still post anonymously and that their information is for “verification purposes only.” But privacy experts, such as Aaron Mackey, are concerned: The risk of data breaches and legal demands (e.g. a company sues Glassdoor to identify their reviewers) balloons as Glassdoor collects more data on its users, he told TechCrunch. 

This is a big problem. Glassdoor isn’t just another website—it’s a cornerstone of the job-hunting process. Up to 86% of job seekers research company reviews before deciding to apply, and those reviews in turn hold companies accountable to cultivate healthy workplace environments. 

Although requiring personal information reduces the risk of phony accounts or bots, not having guaranteed anonymity could prevent employees from sharing their experiences candidly. 

One thing’s for sure: Might want to think twice before posting that Glassdoor review about how 90% of your meetings could’ve been an email. 

 3   TikTokers are sharing their payday routines to total strangers 💰

Would you disclose your salary and exactly where it goes…to total strangers? Thanks to a new viral trend, a growing number of TikToker users are doing just that, reports worklife. 

The trend? Showing off your “payday routine.” In Danny Penev’s latest payday routine video, he shares how he handles his $1,630 bi-weekly paycheck from his Etsy store: “I’m setting aside for half of my rent and utilities which comes out to $400….but after all my expenses, I’m left with $605.” 

By openly sharing their budgets and expenses, payday video creators are providing value in two big ways:

1. Solidarity: With 60% of employees reporting that their salary hasn't kept up with inflation, many are feeling the financial strain. These budgeting videos show other workers they’re not alone in facing these challenges. 

2. Education: Payday videos spread essential financial information, from how to open a high-yield savings account to choosing the right retirement plan. 

Warning: This trend can have consequences. ⚠️ This TikToker was fired from her job after posting about a pay cut. For some employers, certain information shouldn’t be disclosed. 

But I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: Talking about money is self-advocacy. Or as Lauren Schneider, head of Communications at Compt said of the trend: “The more we are transparent about our salaries, benefits, and compensation, the more we uncover what we should be paid.”

Before Women’s History Month wraps up, we’re shining a light on women in STEM! ✨

Women’s representation in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) varies wildly. While they dominate the healthcare sector, engineering, and computer science—two of the most lucrative STEM fields—are still predominantly male. 

That’s a problem: We can’t close the gender pay gap without closing the STEM gap first. 

So in our latest video, we’re shouting-out these incredible women in STEM (and many more!): 

• The nurse anesthetist earning $280,000 a year (but clocks 48 hours a week). 

• The data scientist with a $101,000 salary…who believes people in tech are overpaid. 

•  The physical therapist making $80,000 who had to do seven years of school first.

• What is a $100K salary worth in each city? The answer (especially for NYC) might stun you. 🫣

• CA fast-food chains are firing workers ahead of the minimum wage increase from $16 to $20. 

• Employees are likelier to search for a new job if their employer isn’t transparent, found CNBC.

• Our (free!) quiz has helped hundreds find out if they’re being underpaid—and now, it’s your turn. 

• Meet the partner success manager earning $80K—plus a $15K bonus—in Austin, Texas. 

Thanks for being here! Before we part ways, exciting news to share: STS now has an office in downtown Virginia! 💚 While WFH is great, it’s been hard to maintain a work-life balance. We're pumped to move in and make the space ours! 

Passing the mic to you: Are you team WFH, office, or both?  

See you next week!