State report asks business to close gender wage gap

Gov. Deval Patrick is challenging businesses to close the wage gap and recruit more women to senior positions as a task force yesterday released a report showing women still earn less than men in comparable positions.

The "Successful Women, Successful Families" task force, led by state Secretary for Labor and Workforce Development Rachel Kaprielian, outlined recommendations, including promoting science, math and technology careers to young women, and developing training programs to increase the number of women executives.

It also called for more family-friendly policies such as flexible work schedules.

"This is an ongoing, important issue, and will become an even greater issue over time," said Kaprielian. "To have the kind of talent we need to compete in a global economy, we need to have all our players dressed and ready to play."

The report found that women earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by men in the state, creating a $12.2 billion wage gap.

Patrick yesterday said that 14 businesses had agreed to take part in a corporate challenge and work with Bentley University's Center for Women and Business to close the wage gap and put more women in leadership roles.

"I appeal to other business leaders to participate in this program and help break down the barriers facing women in the workplace so we can even the playing field and ensure that Massachusetts strengthens its leadership position in our global economy," Suffolk Construction CEO John Fish said in a statement.

C.A. Webb, executive director of the New England Venture Capital Association and a task force member, said it's up to the private sector to address workplace inequality.

"The governor and his staff are only in office for a few months ... We have to see what efforts private entities can take on," Webb said. 'We can't just keep talking about this stuff."

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