Something for the weekend: Tackling the gender pay gap is on the agenda for many organisations, particularly in the UK where gender pay reporting requirements will soon come into effect. Levelling the pay playing field is also an issue among the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, with leading comedy actors from the hit TV show The Big Bang Theory reportedly agreeing to take a $100,000 (£81,480) pay cut to boost the wages of two of their female co-stars.
According to a report by Variety, Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Kunal Nayyar and Simon Helberg, who have all starred in the show since season one, have agreed to take a $100,000 pay cut from their $1 million per episode salaries for upcoming seasons 11 and 12, to help increase the wages of co-stars Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch.
Bialik and Rauch, who joined The Big Bang Theory cast in season three, currently earn $200,000 (£162,960) an episode. With the additional money, the pair could potentially earn $450,000 (£366,660) an episode for a 48 episode contract, according to the report. Bialik and Rauch are reported to be preparing for contract negotiations this week.
Here at Employee Benefits, we admire the supportive work culture shown by The Big Bang Theory actors in sharing their salaries with their colleagues. In the EB office, we share home-baked goods, post-it notes and staples, and cute cat pictures!