Michelle Williams has unwittingly become THE spokesperson for the pay gap in Hollywood. She drew attention to this gap in 2018 when the media revealed that she was paid a mere $1,000 for re-shooting scenes in a Ridley Scott movie in comparison to Mark Wahlberg, who made $1.5 million for the same work. In her brilliant speech at the Emmys, Williams stated that “when you put value into a person, it empowers that person to get in touch with their own inherent value. And where do they put that value? They put it into their work.” (Here is the link to her full speech.)
It seems impossible for one person to make such a large impact in the workplace, particularly in a company or industry culture that has gender or race pay gaps ingrained deeply within. Michelle Williams used her speech as a forum to do just that, and boy was it amazing!
As a female entrepreneur who has dedicated her career to placing people in work that they love and all that entails, I could not agree more. Creating a culture of empowerment, value and equality does in fact change the world. Employees spend a significant amount of their time in the workplace. By creating a place of value, harmony and equality, you promote this not only at work, but in the world beyond. Valued humans spread value in the world, and as a benefit to employers, they become more valuable workers when they are at work.
Be the employer who can proudly say you value your employees and their worth as human beings, regardless of what larger culture may accept or allow.