Even with standardized pay, inequalities remain in the type of work assigned to faculty members based on gender and marital status

09 Jun 2026

Scholars across multiple disciplines have extensively studied and debated the complexities of workplace discrimination.

This study looks at how gender and marital status affect how work is divided among faculty members in a Philippine state university, where salaries are the same for everyone. While equal pay removes traditional wage gaps, discrimination can still happen if work is assigned unevenly. Previous studies show that in many universities, women often end up doing more “academic housework” — such as committee work, administrative duties, and community service — which, although important, are usually less valued when it comes to promotions.

Using statistical methods to compare similar groups of faculty members, the study found no major difference in the total amount of work based on gender or marital status. However, the type of work assigned was not always equal. Married women, in particular, were more likely to handle extra committee work and outreach responsibilities. These tasks are essential but often do not count as much toward career growth, which can lead to slower promotions and lower job satisfaction.

The findings highlight that even with standardized pay, hidden inequalities remain. The study calls for fairer distribution of tasks to ensure equal opportunities for all faculty members.

This study addresses the persistent issue of workplace inequality by exploring whether discrimination in academia appears in the form of unequal workload distribution and task assignment. It expands the limited research on how both gender and marital status affect employment conditions in the Philippines, focusing on a subtle but often overlooked form of workplace bias.

In the Philippine context, where faculty salaries in state universities are standardized under RA 6758, pay gaps are less likely to reveal discrimination. Instead, inequalities may emerge through the kinds of tasks assigned, such as committee work, administrative duties, or extension activities.

The findings can help uncover less visible forms of bias in academic institutions and provide evidence that can guide the creation of more equitable and inclusive policies, ensuring fairer opportunities for career development.

Authors: Paul Allen B. Yabut and Jefferson A. Arapoc (Department of Economics, University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.1177/10434631251366165

Even with standardized pay, inequalities remain in the type of work assigned to faculty members based on gender and marital status

Scholars across multiple disciplines have extensively studied and debated the complexities of workplace discrimination.

This study looks at how gender and marital status affect how work is divided among faculty members in a Philippine state university, where salaries are the same for everyone. While equal pay removes traditional wage gaps, discrimination can still happen if work is assigned unevenly. Previous studies show that in many universities, women often end up doing more “academic housework” — such as committee work, administrative duties, and community service — which, although important, are usually less valued when it comes to promotions.

Using statistical methods to compare similar groups of faculty members, the study found no major difference in the total amount of work based on gender or marital status. However, the type of work assigned was not always equal. Married women, in particular, were more likely to handle extra committee work and outreach responsibilities. These tasks are essential but often do not count as much toward career growth, which can lead to slower promotions and lower job satisfaction.

The findings highlight that even with standardized pay, hidden inequalities remain. The study calls for fairer distribution of tasks to ensure equal opportunities for all faculty members.

This study addresses the persistent issue of workplace inequality by exploring whether discrimination in academia appears in the form of unequal workload distribution and task assignment. It expands the limited research on how both gender and marital status affect employment conditions in the Philippines, focusing on a subtle but often overlooked form of workplace bias.

In the Philippine context, where faculty salaries in state universities are standardized under RA 6758, pay gaps are less likely to reveal discrimination. Instead, inequalities may emerge through the kinds of tasks assigned, such as committee work, administrative duties, or extension activities.

The findings can help uncover less visible forms of bias in academic institutions and provide evidence that can guide the creation of more equitable and inclusive policies, ensuring fairer opportunities for career development.

Authors: Paul Allen B. Yabut and Jefferson A. Arapoc (Department of Economics, University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.1177/10434631251366165