Golden State Today

California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, in collaboration with the California Partners Project, has launched the Equal Pay Playbook on National Equal Pay Day. The Playbook is designed to assist companies in addressing internal wage gaps and creating a more equitable workplace. Siebel Newsom emphasized the importance of gender equality in the workforce, stating, "Women are the backbone of their communities and the economy... the gender wage gap continues to deliver the message that our work and our contributions have less value than men’s."

The Equal Pay Playbook comes at a crucial time as women in California collectively lose approximately $87 billion annually to the gender wage gap. The Playbook provides a strategic guide for companies to implement measures that promote equal pay, attract top talent, enhance productivity, and improve brand reputation. Key steps outlined in the Playbook include conducting pay equity audits and updating job descriptions and pay structures.

Holly Martinez, Executive Director of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, highlighted the importance of closing wage gaps, stating, "These gaps cost women, families, and the entire state economy... we must prioritize closing the wage gap as a key step in building a more equitable and prosperous future for everyone."

Carolyn Gan, Executive Director of the California Partners Project, emphasized the practicality of the Equal Pay Playbook, stating, "This playbook has something for everyone; it’s full of actionable, tangible, and practical steps... Equal pay benefits us all—employees and employers alike."

The Equal Pay Playbook is part of the California for All Women initiative led by First Partner Siebel Newsom, which aims to advance economic equity, equal representation, and a family-first agenda. The initiative also includes the Board Diversity and Board Culture Playbooks, as well as the California Equal Pay Pledge. Companies signing the Pledge commit to conducting gender pay analyses, reducing bias in hiring and promotion processes, and promoting practices that ensure fundamental equity for all employees.

Through her efforts, Siebel Newsom is actively working to support children's mental and physical health with the California for ALL Kids initiative, ensuring families have the resources needed for children to thrive. The Equal Pay Playbook and California Equal Pay Pledge are integral components of the ongoing commitment to gender equality and economic empowerment in California.