| V) Commission Recommendations
The Commission believes that additional research and
ongoing data gathering are critical to addressing
wage disparity issues between men and women and
minorities and non-minorities in Maryland. The
research that was conducted by and on behalf of
the Commission confirms that there are wage gaps
based on both gender and race in the State, particularly
in the private sector. The Commission was hampered
from reviewing the gaps and related factors by
time, data and budget limitations. Therefore,
the Commission's first three recommendations relate
directly to establishing a mechanism for additional
study and effective implementation of changes.
The final three recommendations provide shorter
term strategies that could have an immediate impact
on existing wage disparities.
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A) |
Create an On Going Commission - The Commission
recommends the creation of an ongoing Commission
charged with continuing the work started herein
and provided with staff and funding to pay for additional
studies into the wage disparities, related factors
and possible remedies. Integral to this recommendation
is the need to do comprehensive reviews of compensation
systems to determine effective systems in different
sectors. |
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B) |
Assign Effective Equal Pay Authority to a State
Agency - Assign to a State agency the authority
to effectively develop policies that systematically
address the equal pay issue and to enforce the Maryland
Equal Pay Act. Allocate the requisite resources
to ensure effective implementation of these responsibilities. |
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C) |
Develop and Implement a Consistent and Comprehensive
Data Collection System - The Commission was
hampered by the need to have reliable Maryland-specific
data that can provide detailed information on the
wages being paid to men and women and minorities
and non-minorities in Maryland. There simply was
not sufficient data readily available to fully explore
the issues set before the Commission. Therefore,
the Commission recommends the development and implementation
of a comprehensive mechanism for gathering consistent
and comprehensive data on wage disparity issues. |
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D) |
Encourage
Implementation of Family Friendly Work Policies
- The Commission believes family friendly work policies
could encourage the retention of women in the work
force. Policies addressing issues such as family
leave, affordable child care and sick leave need
to be considered. |
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E) |
Provide for Effective Administration and Enforcement
of Existing Laws - The Commission believes that
by improving the Maryland Equal Pay Law and providing
for its administration and enforcement, the State
could further narrow wage gaps in the State. |
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F) |
Gather and Disseminate Best Practices - A multi-faceted
approach is necessary to address wage disparities.
The Commission recommends a comprehensive strategy
of gathering best practices on a number of critical
issues and ensuring that the information is disseminated
and available to individuals, employers and policy makers. |
