Time’s Up, Pay Up

Gender and Racial Inequity During Crisis: Latinx Women and the Pay Gap

New survey shows staggering impact of pay gap, recession on Latinx women

The pay gap is one of the most persistent — yet measurable and, therefore, solvable — indicators of systemic sexism and racism in the United States. While on average, women in the United States are paid 82 cents for every dollar paid to men, Latinx women earn just 54 cents on the dollar.

Prior research has shown that there are three main factors that drive the unjust pay gap between men and women in the United States:

To better understand people’s perceptions about the pay gap, study how the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession may affect the drivers of the pay gap, and learn what women feel they need to achieve greater financial security, TIME’S UP Foundation commissioned PerryUndem to field a national survey of 2,528 diverse adults, ages 18 to 64, between June 2-10, 2020. This survey was generously supported by LUNA® bar, a partner in TIME’S UP’s campaign to fight the pay gap.

Across the board, men and women agree the gender pay gap must be closed — especially now

Pay equity is an important issue right now for 77 percent of Latinx women and 25 percent say equal pay for women is more important during this economic crisis.

Graph: Pay equity is an important issue right now for 77 percent of Latinx women and 25 percent say equal pay for women is more important during this economic crisis.

Yet Latinx women continue to be underpaid and undervalued

Gender and racial discrimination persists

Close to two-thirds of Latinx women in the survey have faced gender or racial discrimination or other related obstacles to higher pay.

27 percent of Latinx women have stayed in a job or turned down a higher-paying job because the environment was too racist or sexist.

Graph: 27 percent of Latinx women have stayed in a job or turned down a higher-paying job because the environment was too racist or sexist.

Unpaid labor remains unfair

Latinx women are the most likely to say they were caring for a sick or elderly person prior to COVID-19.

Graph: Latinx women are the most likely to say they were caring for a sick or elderly person prior to COVID-19.

Latinx women are likely to be doing all or most of the household work at home.

Graph: Latinx women are likely to be doing all or most of the household work at home.

Recession falls hardest on Latinx women

Half of Latinx women said they have had their work hours cut back since the coronavirus hit. Only 25 percent of white men said the same. 72 percent of Latinx women report having lost a job, hours, or pay since COVID-19.

Graph: 72 percent of Latinx women report having lost a job, hours, or pay since COVID-19

The consequences are staggering

Half of Latinx women are unable to pay for their basic needs like food and housing. Six in 10 Latinx women have less than $200 in savings.

Graph: Half of Latinx women are unable to pay for their basic needs like food and housing.

Solutions are clear — but require business leaders and policy makers to act now

Latinx women surveyed understand the broader systemic drivers of pay inequity — such as racism and sexism — better than men.
Graph: Latinx women surveyed understand the broader systemic drivers of pay inequity — such as racism and sexism — better than men.

These systemic problems demand systemic solutions

Latinx women in the workforce identified several benefits they need for economic security.

Graph: Latinx women in the workforce identified several benefits they need for economic security.