A new survey of American workers suggests that many women still feel like they are falling behind financially. Among the issues, the wage gap continues, with women’s income averaging about 37% less than men’s earnings. At the same time, women are spending much more time playing caregiver at home and are more likely to have children living with them. The survey also suggests that women are carrying more debt. Although mortgage debt is comparable for both genders, 25% of woman reported having student loan debt, compared to 18% of men. Overall, women expressed less confidence than their male counterparts about their ability to reach long-term financial goals such as home ownership, keeping up with healthcare expenses, and being able to maintain their lifestyle in retirement. The survey’s message for HR professionals is that workers, especially women, are feeling financial stress and may benefit from support such as financial planning guidance and debt counseling. Read the full article.
