For instance, if I say, “if a man and a woman in Chicago both drive a delivery van for a living, shouldn’t they get paid the same salary by the company?” Well, of course, is the usual response.

However, just in something as basic as a delivery driver’s job, there are many complex issues at work that may affect the rate of pay. I have worked for, and know people currently working for, delivery companies (including the big ones) that will not assign a female driver to a high-crime area. In more than one case, I’ve seen it in policy form.

The answering question to the “well, of course” response would be, “should women be assigned to deliver in high crime areas”, followed closely with, “should a driver, regardless of gender, get paid more for routinely delivering in a high crime area”.

None of the above example lends itself to a simple, “equal pay” stance, for or against.

And don’t get me started on value-based pay…