THE gender pay gap in Australia is at a record high of 18.8 per cent, according to the most recent ABS figures.
Australian men now earn almost $300 more per week than women, based on the average weekly earnings for full-time workers. In America, women earn 77 cents for every full dollar their male counterparts rake in.
These statistics have prompted one American bar to take action and draw attention to the gender pay gap by charging female customers just 77 per cent of their total bar tab.
The Way Station bar in Brooklyn, NYC packed out on Tuesday night with women taking advantage of the deal.
“I have three sisters. The majority of my staff and friends are women,†Mr Heidel told The Guardian. “I thought this would be a great way to even the playing field even if it was for one night only.â€
Mr Heidel said the Women’s World Cup highlighted the pay discrepancies between female and male soccer players and put the issue back on the agenda.
But unsurprisingly, some blokes aren’t happy with The Way Station’s one-night-only deal.
“Men are already complaining on the Men’s Rights Reddit and other places saying I am discriminating,†Mr Heidel said.
“For those men complaining about it, those are not the type of people I want as customers so this promotion is helping to weed out those who do not want to treat women with respect.
“This is weeding out the assholes and it’s working,†said Heidel. “It’s 85 per cent women in there [the bar] and that’s fantastic.â€
Mr Heidel says he hopes to make this an annual event.