A new report shows a massive wage gap for workers in the New Brunswick nonprofit sector. Employees in this field earn an average of $20,000 less than the provincial average. The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity highlights this disparity in their latest findings. Nonprofit workers make about $33,000 annually compared to the provincial average of $53,000. You can read the full details in the original CBC News report.

The Gender Divide in Community Work

The nonprofit sector relies heavily on women. Women make up about two thirds of the workforce in this field. Cecilia Perez Plancarte is the project coordinator for the coalition. She points out that society stereotypes and undervalues care and community work.

“We usually tend to associate this care work or community work to women and we place a stereotype to these types of jobs and we undervalue it,” Perez Plancarte said. “And that is reflected on the way that the sector is being paid.”

Burnout and the Cost of Passion

Low wages create severe challenges for organizations trying to keep their doors open. Michele Nadeau is the executive director of the YWCA in Moncton. She welcomes the new report titled “Our Work Matters.” She notes that low pay directly fuels staff burnout and retention problems.

“It represents a big challenge for our sector because in terms of retention and staff burnout and really trying to offer services with very little, it’s a real challenge,” Nadeau said.

Workers at organizations like the YWCA handle crisis situations daily. They provide housing support, food security programs, and childcare. Nadeau explains that frontline work takes a massive emotional and physical toll. People enter the sector driven by passion, but passion alone does not pay the bills.

“Sometimes the passion is not as intense and people decide to leave the sector and take jobs that are similar with the government or private sector that usually is better compensated,” she added.

How This Impacts Your Community

This wage gap is the result of decisions made by successive governments over many years. Perez Plancarte warns that underpaying these essential workers is unsustainable. Ultimately, your community pays the price when services decline.

“We hope that the general population will recognize that the quality of services, especially in a time of economic crisis and social instability, the quality of the services are dependent on the quality of the job,” Perez Plancarte said.

Nadeau agrees. She emphasizes that nonprofits handle issues that otherwise overwhelm the healthcare system and emergency services. Investing in the nonprofit sector stabilizes the province economically and ensures your community receives the help it needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a nonprofit worker in New Brunswick?

The average annual salary in the New Brunswick nonprofit sector is $33,000.

How does the nonprofit salary compare to the provincial average?

Nonprofit workers earn about $20,000 less than the provincial average, which sits at $53,000.

Who makes up the majority of the nonprofit workforce?

Women dominate the sector, making up approximately two thirds of the workforce.

Why are nonprofit workers leaving the sector?

Many workers leave due to burnout and low compensation. They often take similar but better paying jobs in the government or private sector.