#JustAsk: Our chance to influence unfair pay

“All social change begins with a conversation.” – Margaret J. Wheatley.

For so long, we have been fed the socially constructed idea that speaking about pay is rude or inappropriate. Ironically, it is this stigma that continues to drive pay gaps in Aotearoa. Not talking about pay makes pay gaps worse.

Pay is an uncomfortable yet essential topic of conversation; key to the formation of an equitable Aotearoa, where everyone is paid fairly regardless of ethnicity, gender or ability. 

This is why we're putting the call out for Kiwis across the country to #JustAsk about pay gaps; both where you work, and where you shop.

We want to empower you to feel confident in asking about pay by giving you the tools to do so. Will you join us?

Importantly, not everyone is in a position to #JustAsk. For some people, cultural, structural, or personal reasons can make the process of asking difficult or inappropriate. If this is you, see other ways to get involved below.

For this reason, it is important that if you are in a position to #JustAsk, you do it not only for yourself, but on behalf of others. This could look like men asking for their daughters, or sisters. Pākehā asking for colleagues from diverse cultures. Senior staff asking for junior staff. Consumers asking for employees. It’s about community and whānau, not just the individual.

 “As a nation, we are absolutely crap at talking about money.” - Jo Cribb

The #JustAsk campaign is inspired by the work of Jo Cribb, who publicly presented this concept in a 2017 TEDx Wellington talk. Watch the full talk below:

How do I #JustAsk?

We know how intimidating and unnatural it can be to approach the topic of pay in a conversation, especially with your employer. To ease the pressure somewhat,  we’ve created a series of resources and tools in order to help you feel as comfortable and confident as possible when you #JustAsk.

We would also like to note that for some people, asking about pay can be difficult or inappropriate due to a range of cultural and personal reasons. Structural inequities and power imbalances in workplaces are also huge barriers when asking.  In recognition of this, we have provided some alternative tools within our guides if this feels like your situation. 

This isn’t about ‘calling out’ organisations, it’s a simple ask and a way to start a conversation. When you #JustAsk, you’re sending a message that pay gaps are an important issue to consumers and employees.

Asking helps normalise conversations about pay and end the culture of pay secrecy in workplaces. Not talking about pay gaps makes pay gaps worse.

This is an opportunity to recognise your position of privilege, and use it to inspire change.

Remember, five minutes of discomfort is a small price to pay for the hundreds and thousands of women, Māori, Pacific peoples, and other minorities, who are consistently paid less than their worth in this country.

Browse our resources below:

#JustAsk Scripts and templates

Need some words to help you get started? Here are some scripts and templates you can use - just copy, paste and edit as needed (and remember to add in the details where we’ve bolded the text!)

 
 

Kia ora @BUSINESS! I’d love to know whether you have plans to report your gender, Māori, and Pasifika pay gaps, as a part of the @Mindthegap Registry? We’re asking you to show your commitment to fairness and equality by doing so. Head to mindthegap.nz for more info. #JustAsk #EqualPay365

Kia ora @BUSINESS! I saw on mindthegap.nz/registry that you don’t report your pay gaps for gender, Māori and Pacific Peoples. As your *customer*, I’d really like to see your commitment on this issue. Will you be signing up to report your pay gaps?

Kia ora @BUSINESS! Can you please tell me what your pay gaps are for gender, Māori and Pacific Peoples? Businesses who report their gaps are more likely to close them. I hope you can report your pay gaps soon!

Kia ora! Mindthegap.nz launched New Zealand’s first pay gap registry, and I saw that our organisation doesn’t report any of our pay gaps. Pay gap reporting is a simple yet effective tool in closing pay gaps. Is this something we’re planning to do any time soon?

Email Template

Kia ora NAME,  

I am emailing to #JustAsk if [BUSINESS’ NAME] has any plans to sign up to publicly report on their gender, Māori and Pasifika  pay gaps, in MindTheGap’s Public Registry? The registry aims to encourage all organisations to do the right thing by signing on and committing to pay gap reporting. 

Pay gaps for Māori, for Pacific peoples, for gender, disability communities and other ethnicities persist in Aotearoa NZ. In 49 years, the Equal Pay Act has not closed our pay gaps: for every $1 a pākehā male earns, a pasifika woman makes $0.75; a māori woman makes $0.81; an asian woman $0.83 and a pākehā woman makes $0.89 (Statistics NZ, Household Labour Force Survey 2021). 

As a consumer / member of the community / etc, I encourage you to take a lead on this important issue and commit to reporting your pay gaps. We want an Aotearoa New Zealand where everyone is paid fairly for their work; where pay discrimination based on ethnicity, gender or ability no longer exists. Signing up to report your pay gaps is an important first step. 

For more information, visit: mindthegap.nz 

Ngā mihi nui, 

Insert name

#JustAsk Guide

This document outlines how you can get behind #JustAsk, the role you can play in closing pay gaps in Aotearoa, and various ways with which you can approach the topic of pay in a conversation.

 
 

#JustAsk FAQ

There’s a lot of jargon used when talking about pay gaps - we’ve broken it down for you in this helpful FAQ.

 
 
 

How can I play a bigger role in the #JustAsk campaign?

We need your help to make some noise about pay gaps in Aotearoa: will you join us? 

Here’s how you can help us to create a more equitable Aotearoa...

1. Get Asking:

The more of us that #JustAsk, the more normalised these conversations become - whether you’re asking the question at work or from the places you shop, you’re an integral part of the campaign. Thank you for helping to start the conversation. 

Once you’ve asked… 

2. Get Social:

We would love your help in spreading the word about #JustAsk: we’ve got a pack that you’re welcome to download and share.

Whether it be a conversation with your friends or whānau or a share on social media, it all counts. Every interaction with and mention of #JustAsk is one step closer to our big picture goal of an equitable Aotearoa for all - the more of us talking about this, the better! Let’s normalise conversations about pay and pay gaps! 

Last but not least, make sure you’re following us on social media so you don’t miss out on all the exciting campaign action!

 

Pay gap transparency is key to bridging pay disparities in Aotearoa. Whether it be a quick email, a simple face-to-face conversation, or an action on behalf of someone else - #JustAsk about pay gaps.

Thank you for being a part of the conversation.