2024 Latina Equal Pay Day: The Power of Walking Away

Today is Latina Equal Pay Day, which means we finally earned that dollar that a white man earned months and months ago. It’s an important day to acknowledge because Latinas face one of the largest wage gaps of social group, earning as little as 52 to 54 cents to the dollar. And in some of the largest Latina populated states (like California) Latinas earn even less. We’ve spoken for years on this topic and the damage it does—not just to the psyche but the literal damage of what it means to be short-changed and unable to afford necessities the way others may be able to do.

As we make note of this day, we’ll hear a lot about taking action. Some of it aimed at the companies (rarely) and often aimed at the individual—stand up for yourself! Negotiate your salary! Know your worth! Yes, all that. But may I recommend something else? Get mad as hell! And then, if you are working in a place that does not pay you fairly, do the boldest thing you can do-quit. Resign. Take your talents where they will be valued.

I was recently on a panel about Latina leadership and one speaker said that she has resigned every job she has ever had to move on to something better and it dawned on me that for many of us, despite our intelligence and contributions, it is our labor that is most needed yet underpaid by employers. So, if they won’t pay for it, leave. If they give vague excuses or make you jump through hoops for opportunity and raises, see it as the writing on the wall.

Obviously be smart about it. You don’t have to quit tomorrow or in a rage. But start making your plan now—what do you have to do in the next six months or year to position yourself for a better role?

Year ago, when I was passed over for an internal promotion, I was gutted.  I would have still stayed because at first I thought if I contributed just a little more than maybe they would consider me for another opportunity. Thankfully, a mentor set me straight. I (painfully) recognized it was time to go and worked to get a new title (not the one I wanted) but one that would position me to be considered for better roles. Sometimes it is a long play to get the position you want and that’s ok— as long as you know what you’re working towards, you are doing yourself a favor. Other times you don’t have the luxury to wait and that’s ok (though don’t quit without a plan and preferably a new job lined up!) but feel secure in whatever plan you are crafting.

It may seem radical to recommend that you quit. But what is radical is that it will take us over 180 years to reach pay parity. Unless and until there is incentive for employers to pay fairly, employers will keep perpetuating this gap. What remains true today, and will be true 180 years from now, is that YOU are the asset—your intelligence, labor, and contributions are what brings value to your workplace and you deserve to be in a space that values you and pays you accordingly. On this Latina Equal Pay Day, take a moment to scan your office horizon and then figure out your plan.