'Nasty' women earn more money

Female employees who act “nastier” or “more assertive” at work are more likely to be on a higher wage – according to a report from Tel Aviv University in Israel.

The report apparently found that “nicer” or “more agreeable” women are compensated less, whereas “dominant” female employees are more likely to get a pay rise. The study polled 375 male and female employees working at a Dutch multi-national company.

Professor Sharon Toker, the study’s co-author, comments on the study: “Some professional women are still afraid to exhibit a trait that’s incongruent with presumed notions of the female character.”

The study reported that female employees who clearly state their expectations and do not retreat from workplace demands are paid more on average. Dr Michal Biron, a fellow researcher, commented: “We found that women aren’t aware that more agreeable women are being punished for being nice. The nice women we polled in our study even believed they were earning more than they deserved.”