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Did you know female physicians earn an average of 29% less than their male counterparts? According to Medscape, male physicians earn an average of $400,000 compared to female doctors’ $309,000.
There are many factors that could explain this disparity including gender differences in specialty, work hours, and willingness to negotiate. If you are approaching a new role and want to secure the best compensation and terms, here are five tips for negotiating your contract as a female doctor.
1. Ask about maternity leave.
If you are considering growing your family, it is important to have all relevant information when making that decision, including the time and financial impacts of a pregnancy and/or arrival of a new child.
In some cases, this information will be provided in the contract. More commonly, the details will be included in human resources policy. Don’t make assumptions about what, if anything is provided.
If you don’t see the information in your contract, ask to take a look at HR or leave policies. If you look those over and still don’t see anything, ask about maternity leave specifically.
Is it risky to ask about maternity leave?
As a lawyer, I am frequently asked if asking about maternity leave is risky as it indicates that you plan to utilize these benefits. I completely understand the concern and worry here, but I think it’s important to remember a few things:
- The possibility of pregnancy is likely already understood: If you are a female physician within a general age range, the possibility of you having a child is likely apparent to your future employer. You won’t be telling them something they didn’t already understand as a possibility. You do not need to explain yourself, but it’s also okay to let them know that you’re simply gathering relevant information, not making specific plans.
- Have the conversation before being hired: While it can be an uncomfortable and personal topic to discuss, it can be very helpful to have the conversation before you join the practice. If you will be treated unfairly, it’s better to know that before signing a contract. Large healthcare employers typically have had to address this issue before and have plans in place for these circumstances. Smaller, private practices may have never had to consider family leave and will need to create a policy for it.
- Discrimination is illegal: It’s important to remember that discrimination due to pregnancy is illegal. If you feel that you are being or have been discriminated against, contact an attorney in your state to discuss your options.
2. Talk to other women in the group.
Unfortunately, many women are all too familiar with the “boys’ club” dynamic present in many workplaces. It is even more unfortunate that this type of culture can be difficult to identify in the interview process.
Talk with other women in the practice about their experience. Ask them about the culture and environment. Ask them about the opportunities for growth. Ask them about the support for a work-life balance. While you shouldn’t rely solely on the experiences of others, you can certainly let them inform the questions you ask in your decision-making process.
3. Beware of the pay gap.
Even in 2024, the gender pay gap remains. According to the Department of Labor, women are paid 84% less than their male counterparts. Unfortunately for female doctors, the pay gap tends to get larger as salaries increase. This is an issue that you need to be on the lookout for and prepared to fight against.
It can be difficult to know how to get that information without asking for private details. There are a lot of questions you can ask that get to the heart of the matter – without asking to see your future coworkers’ W2s:
- Pay structure: Ask your soon-to-be employer if all doctors are paid based on the same pay scale or structure. This is not the same as asking if all doctors are paid the same. The same structure or scale means the starting salary, bonus metrics, partnership opportunities, etc. are awarded based on the same criteria.
- Partnership opportunities: If you are looking at a partnership-track position, ask if they have had any recent hires who have not been offered partnership. While they won’t typically tell you what everyone currently makes, they may tell you if your offer contains the same starting salary/first salary as your future colleagues.
None of these questions directly address gender, but they should give you enough insight to deduce any potential issues.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t apologize for them.
Many doctors hesitate to ask “too many” questions when negotiating for their next job. People worry that it will be off-putting, and they’ll be seen as asking for too much.
In the work that I do, I see this as especially true for women. Women are often cautious about coming across as too assertive or too challenging, so they fail to get the information they need.
A new job has a significant impact on your life, and it’s important to make an informed decision. An employer has a right to decline to answer or withhold certain information, but you also have a right to ask the question.
When women do ask questions, we often attempt to soften it with an apology. “I’m sorry to bother you, but…” My advice: stop doing that! You have no reason to apologize for wanting more information, and you don’t need to explain yourself. Apologizing makes you seem tentative and uncertain and instantly puts you on the defense when you don’t need to be. Ask your questions and ask them with confidence.
5. Know your value!
Similarly, many women have a fear of being seen as too demanding, which is obviously something to avoid when interviewing for a job. Unfortunately, that fear is often based on history and maybe even some bad personal experiences. But it’s possible to be seen as a team player who is committed to the employer while still knowing the value you bring to the table.
Share your accomplishments
Do not be afraid to highlight your own accomplishments, unique skills, special recognition, or capabilities.
- Let your potential employer know about the research you did or the volunteer clinic you helped found.
- Tell them that you’re bilingual and can help reach an underserved population.
- Offer to take on more responsibility because of the experiences you’ve had – and excelled in!
After you’ve done all of these things, make sure their offer to you reflects what you are offering them.
Secure the compensation and terms you deserve
You’ve studied, trained, and worked for years to get to where you are today. Be confident in your abilities and negotiate a contract that works for your needs, goals, and lifestyle.
If you need support in navigating your contract and ensuring there are no hidden red flags, Panacea Legal is here to help. Their experienced contract attorneys can help you review, understand, and negotiate your contract. Learn more and begin your contract review today.
Not ready to commit? Schedule a 15-minute consultation with the Panacea Legal team to see how contract review could help you »
The information shared on this website does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
