Gals! If you don’t think you’re worth more money why would anyone else think you’re worth more money?

I just read two reports this morning about employees and their expectations for raises this year, and it turns out male workers are pretty optimistic.

One study released this week by Adecco Staffing found that:

Men are more confident than women that a bonus, raise or promotion is in their future. More than half of all men (52 percent) expect to ask for OR receive a raise, bonus or promotion at work in 2012, compared to just 37 percent of women.

And jobs website Glassdoor reported earlier this month that:

Men (42 percent) remain more optimistic than women (33 percent) when it comes to the possibility for a pay raise in the next 12 months. In terms of company outlook in the next six months, more men indicated optimism than women (41 percent of men compared to 38 percent of women), which is consistent with previous surveys.

Why the disparity? Maybe women are more realistic about the economy and what their employers can dish out. Or maybe they just don’t think they deserve it.

Yes, the economy is tough, but many corporations are sitting on piles of cash right now. Just last week Apple reported it made nearly $50 billion sales in the fourth quarter, blowing away analyst estimates. Ford Motor Company reported its 11th straight profitable quarter, and Procter & Gamble beat estimates for it’s fourth-quarter earnings per share.

It’s time for workers, women and men, to demand more money in their paychecks. But why should these fat and happy employers hire more workers? You guys are doing the work of two or three employees these days, and you’re not asking for more money. (more…)