So Amazon decided to disclose pay figures per gender and well, salaries for women are nearly on par with men. So why resist the shareholder proposal in the first place? Perhaps the online retailing giant feared that such a disclosure would open a can of worms on labor issues? Amazon has after all been the target of negative publicity on labor conditions for both white and blue collared workers in recent years. The company is understandably sensitive.
Credit should, however, be given to where credit is due. Pay parity is a good thing and in this regard, Amazon is among the industry leaders. The challenge is to raise the number women managers globally from the current 24% (compared with 76% men).
In the meantime, Expedia has committed to disclose gender pay figures.
When it comes to disclosure, there is nothing to fear but fear itself.
Risk Spotlight 