Long, inflexible work hours are often the norm in high-pressure, high-paying jobs where promotions are important, or in firms or sectors where earnings are considerably unequal. These kinds of jobs are a big part of why there’s a gender pay gap in the United States.
Nathalie Lees
The Problem with “Greedy Work”
Why high-salary jobs with long, inflexible hours exacerbate the gender pay gap — and what to do about it.
September 28, 2021
· Long read
Summary.
Covid-19 has forced millions of people to work from home while juggling caregiving and other commitments. Is this making work more flexible or less? In this interview, Harvard economist Claudia Goldin outlines what she calls “greedy work”: work that pays more in exchange for long, inflexible hours; is a key contributor to the gender pay gap in the U.S.; and is a symptom of rising income inequality. She also discusses how couples can make their relationships more equitable in terms of work and family and provides examples of industries that, by chance or choice, are making flexibility and equal pay a reality.
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