Iceland Has Made it Illegal to Pay Men and Women Differently for the Same Work

Kat Armstrong
Jan 02, 2018

Starting the year off boldly, the government of Iceland has passed a new law stating that employers in the island nation cannot pay men more than women for equal work. After passing the law early in 2017, the law *officially* took effect on Monday, the first day of 2018, making Iceland the first country in the world to formally legalize equal pay between men and women.

Stats on equal pay can be pretty demoralizing for many women. Stateside, the gender pay gap is pretty hefty. On average, women make 20 percent lessthan their male counterparts regardless of experience or education. For women of color, the pay gap is worse — Black women make 35 percent less than white men, and Hispanic women make a whopping 40 percent less on average. Some studies say the US won’t be able to close the wage gap for another 40 years. 

Under the new Icelandic rules, companies and government agencies employing at least 25 people will have to obtain government certification of their equal-pay policies, and if they don’t, or do cannot provide wage parity, they will face hefty fines.

Iceland is already ranked the most gender-equal country in the world by the World Economic Forum, and that’s in part due to the fact that the country’s parliament — the Althing — is made up of 48 percent women. And the women in the country have never been shy about how they have felt about equality. In 2016, the nation’s women protested unfair wage practices by staging a work walkout.

In late October 2016, thousands of women left work at exactly 2:38pm local time to stop working at the moment they would be getting paid until if their salaries were the same as the men they worked beside. It was the most recent in a series of strikes by women in the country working towards equal pay.

In the 1970s, women in the country staged a day without work protesting similar unfair conditions. They staged similar walkouts in 2005 (leaving at 2:08pm) and again in 2008 (leaving at 2:25). Gylfi Arnbjörnsson, president of the Icelandic Confederation of Labor, toldthe country’s official national broadcaster RÚV that waiting 50 years to reach parity should not be acceptable for any reason, especially not equal pay for women.

“No one puts up with waiting 50 years to reach a goal,” Arnbjörnsson said. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s a gender pay gap or any other pay gap. It’s just unacceptable to say we’ll correct this in 50 years. That’s a lifetime.”

What do you think of Iceland’s legal wage mandate? Tell us @BritandCo!

(Pic via Getty)

Get Paid $15,000 To Eat Your Way Around The World

Ever dream of globetrotting the world while getting paid? That's not a rhetorical question. Now you can turn your wanderlust into real cash with Ramada by Wyndham. The global hotel brand is on the hunt for its next "CEO," AKA Chief Eats Officer, a dream role for anyone who loves food and travel and well, a paycheck. One lucky adventurer will be paid $15,000 to travel to Ramada’s most coveted destinations, curate a list of must-eats, and share their travel highlights on social media. Learn how to enter below!

Decameron Club Caribbean Runaway Bay, Ramada Jamaica

From Thailand to Turkey and Seoul to Santa Barbara, the CEO trip will include up to seven global destinations in a three-week itinerary next spring. With hotels in 75 countries around the world, Ramada by Wyndham is perfect for travelers looking for that bucket-list experience!

Hunan, China, Ramada by Wyndham Chenzhou Dongjiang Lake

For a chance to be the next “CEO,” travel and food enthusiasts can visit Ramada.com/CEO by October 22 and submit a short, 1-3 minute video through TikTok (tag @RamadabyWyndham, #RamadaCEO) or email makemeceo@ramada.com that shows your passion for travel and discovering amazing eats.

Prize Details:

  • $15,000 reward, including a $10,000 travel stipend to cover airfare and travel expenses, plus $5,000 cash
  • Paid hotel accommodations for up to 21 nights at Ramada properties around the world
  • A Wyndham Rewards® Diamond membership for one year

Ramada Resort by Wyndham, Bodrum, Türkiye

How to Apply

To apply, post a public video on TikTok explaining why you are the best candidate for the job, tagging @RamadabyWyndham, using the hashtag #RamadaCEO, and following @RamadabyWyndham on TikTok.

Your TikTok account must be publicly viewable for the duration of the contest (through November 2024). Alternatively, you can email your video submission to makemeceo@ramada.com.

All video submissions must be between one and three minutes in length and should include your country of residence.

If applying via email, be sure to provide the handles for your active and public personal social media accounts.

All entries must be submitted and received by 11:59 p.m. ET on October 22, 2024.

Additional Qualifications Include:

  • Applicants must be a legal resident of the 50 United States or Canada (excluding Quebec).
  • Availability to travel for up to three weeks between April 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025.
  • Active and proficient on various social media platforms (TikTok and Instagram preferred).
  • At least 21 years old with a valid passport through December 2025.
  • Self-confessed travel lover and foodie.
  • Comfortable working remotely and on deadline.

Ramada by Wyndham will select the winning CEO on or around the week of November 14, 2024. No purchase is necessary to enter. For more details, including official rules, visit www.ramada.com/ceo. Good luck!

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Colin Jost's "Naughty Side" Is Totally Giving Rory Gilmore, TBH

It truly sounds like something out of a movie, but Scarlett Johansson met her husband, Colin Jost, 14 whole years before they got married. The duo first connected on the set of Saturday Night Live, but didn’t kindle a serious flame until about a decade later. Their story is definitely admirable when it comes to celebrity relationships! Scarlett and Colin now share a son and have been happily married since 2020. Let’s dive into their relationship timeline!

Here's the latest news on Scarlett Johansson & husband Colin Jost's relationship, from 2006 to today.

Vivien Killilea / Getty Images for American Cinematheque

January 2006: First meeting

Scarlett and Colin actually met for the first time behind the scenes on the set of SNL. Colin had been a writer for the show when Scarlett hosted.

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

May 2017: The relationship kicks off

Now let’s transport to nearly 11 years later! Though they’d known each other for a while, it wasn’t until May of 2017 that Scarlett and Colin had sparked rumors about their relationship.

Scarlett had guest starred on the SNL season finale and joined the cast and crew for a celebratory afterparty, in which Colin was in attendance.

According to Page Six, the duo were seen talking, flirting, and canoodling. At the time, Scarlett was going through a divorce with a French journalist named Romain Dauriac, with whom she shares one daughter.

Amy Sussman / Getty Images

September 2017: No more rumors

Colin confirmed the rumors that he and Scarlett were dating at the 2017 Emmy Awards, telling Entertainment Tonight: "She's pretty cool… it's hard to have a lot of complaints, she's pretty awesome. I'm very happy. I feel very lucky."

They made their very first public appearance together that November at the American Museum of Natural History Gala in New York City.

Scarlett had settled her divorce and custody over her daughter with Romain Dauriac around this time as well.

Neilson Barnard / Getty Images

May 2018: Scarlett and Colin attend the Met Gala

Scarlett and Colin stepped out together to many events in 2018, but they looked exceptionally elegant at the 2018 Met Gala. The theme for that year was “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.”

Scarlett wore a Marchesa dress with a deep red gradient while Colin sported a classic black tuxedo.

Amy Sussman / Getty Images

May 2019: Scarlett and Colin get engaged

Scarlett’s publicist confirmed her engagement to Colin toAP in May 2019.

Scarlett herself later addressed the engagement during her sixth time hosting SNL, sharing: "This place means so much to me. I have so many friends here and I met the love of my life here.”

Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images

October 2020: Wedding time

Scarlett and Colin kept their wedding party fairly small, as the effects of COVID-19 carried on into the fall of 2020.

Their ask for a wedding gift was that attendees and fans donate to Meals on Wheels America amid the pandemic. Meals on Wheels America shared the news in an Instagram post, the caption reading:

“We’re thrilled to break the news that Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost were married over the weekend in an intimate ceremony with their immediate family and loved ones, following COVID-19 safety precautions as directed by the CDC. Their wedding wish is to help make a difference for vulnerable older adults during this difficult time by supporting@mealsonwheelsamerica. Please consider donating to celebrate the happy couple by clicking the link in our bio.”

Arnold Turner / Getty Images for Netflix

August 2021: The couple welcomes their first child

Scarlett gave birth to their first son, Cosmo, in August 2021. The couple had kept the pregnancy quite private beforehand.

Several months later, the two were very happy to share more about their first child. Scarlett told Entertainment Tonight, "I feel very fortunate that I've been able to take this time to really enjoy the early stages of my motherhood with our son. It's been wonderful. I'm in a 'baby bliss bubble.'"

She later explained the name Cosmo on The Kelly Clarkson Show, saying that she and Colin had "just threw a bunch of letters together."

"It just seemed like a refreshing — it's so charming,” she said on the show. “Our friends all liked it.”

Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images

May 2023: The pair goes to Cannes

Scarlett and Colin attended the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, where her film, Asteroid City, premiered. The two looked stunning together, as Scarlett donned a pink gown and Colin wore a sleek tux.

Paul Morigi / Getty Images

April 27, 2024: Scarlett and Colin attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Scarlett and Colin pulled up to the 2024 White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Colin hosted the event held in Washington, D.C., opening the event with a hilarious monologue, roasting members around the room. He sometimes faced a tough crowd with the jokes and jabs he made, though he finished on a sincere note, emphasizing the importance of the media's role in democracy.

April 29, 2024: Scarlett opens up about her life on the TODAY show

Scarlett hopped on the TODAY show to chat about what she’s currently doing, including her children and her new skincare line, The Outset.

She admitted her daughter, Rose, shares her love for skincare. “My daughter comes on set sometimes,” Scarlett said. “She knew I was coming into The Outset office today – I think my daughter is more excited about The Outset, to be honest with you,” she joked.

Scarlett also opened up about being off of social media entirely. “I think social media’s a great tool, it’s a wonderful way for people to connect, but I feel personally – I think I’m just too fragile for it,” she said. “It’s hard to look through other people’s lives and not compare your own.”

Scarlett said her personal struggles with skincare inspired her to create The Outset: “I’ve just had this long road of struggling with acne and irritation and sensitivity forever, ‘till I was in my mid-20s. It was my own frustration that led me down the path of what has now become The Outset.”

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

November 26, 2024 — Scarlett Johansson Spills On Colin Jost's "Naughty Side"

As we get closer to Christmas, we're all thinking about naughty vs. nice — or at least, Scarlett Johansson is! During a appearance on Live With Kelly & Mark, ScarJo joked that Colin "has also got his naughty side, you know. That’s why he keeps it interesting.”

Apparently Colin bought a Staten Island ferry in 2022 with Pete Davidson (which is totally giving Rory Gilmore, FYI), which Scarlett says "is the naughty part I was talking about.”

But he's also a great partner, and showered Scarlett with love on her 40th birthday earlier in November 2024. “He’s a good guy," she continues. "He is a very, very, very great guy. I’m extremely lucky. He’s a kind person and he’s hilarious and thoughtful and loving and he’s a great dad and I love him. I feel very, very lucky."

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This post has been updated.

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How To Build A Local Community When You’re A Digital Creator

Verizon
verizon

In our Take 5 series, sponsored by Verizon, we ask women in business about unexpected challenges, their inspirations, recent wins, and how the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program has helped propel their business forward. Here, we meet Rita Suzanne, a marketing strategist for health and wellness businesses who learned to network, connect with other entrepreneurs, and build her business online and IRL.

What's an unexpected business challenge that you've had to face and how did you overcome it?

The hardest thing for me was my sister passed away and I ended up taking custody of my nieces. I ended up being a single mom of four kids. This is the thing that transitioned my whole entire life. I stopped doing web design and started my podcast Mom Owned and Operated. I wanted to reconnect with other moms and figure out how they were able to run their businesses and raise a family and take care of themselves because I wasn't able to do all three at the same time. Through that journey, I realized that I really needed to connect with other people and how important it was for my business. It helped me to create that community that I was yearning for that I didn't realize that I needed.

What's a recent small win for your business?

For me, the win was just pivoting back to something that I actually wanted to do. Also, I’ve started to say no to things that I no longer want to do.

Who is a woman in business that you look up to and why?

I have always admired and looked up to Amy Porterfield [author of Two Weeks Notice]. I listened to her all the time when I was starting out. I think that she's amazing and I love her stuff. She just seems like a very genuine person.

Is there a resource that has made an impact on you as an entrepreneur?

I listen to a lot of audio books. One of my favorites that has been huge for me is You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero. I was told when I first started my business, by a friend who was a business coach, that I have a mindset problem. Ten years ago, I had no idea even what “mindset” was. Sincero’s book helped me to see what she meant by “mindset” and helped me adjust that mindset and fix some of the things that I didn't realize were broken.

How has the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program helped propel your business forward?

There are a lot of things that I have loved about it. There are local networking and training opportunities, and that has been great, and the online training is very valuable. It's a great resource. I find that marketing needs a three-tiered approach, meaning you need to network it locally, socially, and then also have a very comprehensive online approach to your marketing. One of the Verizon Small Business trainings that I took was all about taking advantage of your local resources. I found that to be extremely valuable because often people think they need to just focus on social media. I don't think that people focus enough on their local community.

Learn more about the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program and Rita Suzanne.

Illustration by Daniela Jordan-Villaveces

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Yes Chef! It's No Surprise Jeremy Allen White & Molly Gordon Took Date Night To This NYC Restaurant.

Listen up, chefs: we thought Jeremy Allen White was officially off the market after months of dating the iconic Spanish pop star, Rosalía, but it looks like they're no longer an item! Jeremy was just spotted kissing one of this co-stars from The Bear, bringing their on-screen romance to real life.

Keep reading for the latest news on Jeremy Allen White's dating life — and his newest romance with Molly Gordon.

Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Jeremy's on-screen romance turned IRL.

Photos of Jeremy and co-star Molly Gordon (who plays his love interest, Claire, in The Bear) obtained by People show things heating up between the two. The duo had their arms wrapped around each other as they embraced for a kiss. This is the first time we've seen them both linked romantically, and we're honestly shocked and left wondering what happened with Rosalía, who he was going steady with in fall 2023.

October 25, 2024: Jeremy Allen White & Molly Gordon Spark More Rumors

A month after Jeremy Allen White and Molly Gordon were seen locking lips in Los Angeles, Peoplesnagged more photos of the two as they enjoyed a nice walk in NYC. They look cozy in their casual fall outfits — complete with matching burgundy hats — and were all smiles. They've yet to confirm anything though, but they have all the makings of a budding romance that could be serious!

October 31, 2024: Jeremy Allen White & Molly Gordon Are Taking It Slow

And on Halloween, we learned just how much Jeremy and Molly are enjoying taking it slow with their relationship. "Jeremy and Molly have been seeing each other quietly for a few months and are happy together," a source told ET. “They are enjoying their relationship, but also trying to keep it private. They don’t like attention surrounding their personal lives and it has been an adjustment for Molly."⁠

November 26, 2024: Molly Gordon & Jeremy Allen White Spotted At Cozy Dinner

It's no surprise that Jeremy Allen White and Molly Gordon would pick a delicious restaurant for dinner in NYC. After all, they are on The Bear. DeuxMoi spotted them at The Corner Store in New York right before Thanksgiving. We all need a break from holiday prep in the kitchen — even celebs!

Scroll on for a deeper look into all of Jeremy's recent romantic escapades!

Jeremy Allen White's Steamy Dating History

First, there were the Jeremy Allen White and Selena Gomez dating rumors.

An anonymous submission to DeuxMoi at the beginning of July 2023 set off speculation that the two A-listers were “in touch.” The tip noted that Selena and Jeremy had allegedly met at a Vanity Fair cover shoot and hit it off ever since.

The gossip was neither proved wrong *or* right, though in hindsight, it didn’t hold up too strongly. Not long after rumors began circulating, the Haim sisters posted on Instagram about "single summer," picturing Selena alongside a Taylor Swift-backed girl gang.

Then, a big PDA fest with Ashley Moore.

Things were steaming up on the streets of Los Angeles when Jeremy Allen White was spotted engaging in some serious PDA with model and actress, Ashley Moore in August 2023. How they met is a total mystery, but seeing them together via paparazzi pictures was jaw-dropping – especially considering Mr. White was seen with his estranged wife and kids the week prior. Yikes!

Next, Jeremy publicly thirsting over Alexa Demie.

He’s at it again! In August 2023, Jeremy Allen White scrolled past a video highlighting Alexa Demie’s new campaign with Calvin Klein and did what any fan would do – he left a comment (though minimal): “Wow.”

To publicly show his affection (or rather, attraction) via Instagram is a whole thing in itself. King.

Neilson Barnard / Getty Images for Latin Recording Academy

In fall 2023, Jeremy Allen White and Rosalía were going steady.

“Rosalía and Jeremy Allen White have recently started dating,” a source told Us Weekly in November 2023. “They started out as just friends, but things have turned romantic recently.”

Alexa, play "That Should Be Me" by Justin Bieber!

The duo had been sighted side-by-side a few times. TMZ shared photos of them together at a late-October 2023 farmer's market and even sharing a smoke break in a parking lot. Romantic!

That budding romance came after what we call White’s hot boy summer – he was out and about on the streets of Los Angeles amidst his separation from actress Addison Timlin. Throughout their divorce, White was rumored to be involved with Selena Gomez, thirsting over Alexa Demi on Instagram, and was publicly spotted smooching Ashley Moore.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Despite all of this, Jeremy was spotted being friendly with his divorced ex.

In what TMZ was calling "the friendliest divorce ever," Jeremy Allen White and his now-ex Addison Timlin had been seen doing family activities together amid his romantic antics. The pair shares two young daughters, which is likely why they're still seeing each other from time to time. Where Jeremy's head is, we can't say for sure, but we do know he's out there acting young, wild, and free.

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This post has been updated.

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Let The Games Begin! The 'Squid Game' Season 2 Trailer Is Here.

Get ready for another year of mayhem, because Squid Game season 2 is on its way! The Netflix K-drama / thriller captivated — and horrified — viewers when it premiered on Netflix in 2021, and we are more than ready to see more. And considering it became Netflix's most-watched series, and was so popular it led to comfy Halloween costumes and reality competition Squid Game: The Challenge, we're not alone.

Here's everything you need to know about the Squid Game season 2 release date, cast, and more!


Watch the Squid Game season 2 trailer!

Let the games begin! The Squid Game season 2 trailer brings a whole new set of games to our favorite players, and it's totally reminding me of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. We'll have to wait until December to see whether Gi-hun is really able to bring down the games once and for all.

When is the Squid Game season 2 release date?

Noh Juhan/Netflix

Squid Game season 2 will premiere December 26, 2024. I guess nothing says Christmas like murder and giant, terrifying dolls. Creator Dong-hyuk reportedly took 10 years to write the first season of the hit series, but we're glad it didn't take him that long this time around!

What is Squid Game season 2 about?

Noh Juhan / Netflix

The first season of Squid Game followed contestants chosen to participate in the titular games, a competition that features deadly versions of childhood games. And this time around, Gi-hun is doing everything in his power to take the game down, even if it means "starting another life-or-death game with new participants gathered to win the prize of 45.6 billion," according to an official synopsis.

"As we all saw at the end of season 1, the main plot of season 2 will be revenge," actor Lee Jung Jae tells All K-Pop. "The key figure who controlled the workings of the games in season 1 was Lee Byung-Hun...it seems that the two of us will be the central figures of this next story."

While season 1 was all about surviving the games, it appears that Squid Game season 2 could be all about bringing them down.

Who is in the Squid Game season 2 cast?

Noh Juhan / Netflix

Netflix announced the cast of Squid Game season 2 in June 2023. In addition to the return of Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-jun, and Gong Yoo, we'll also see some new characters including Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon, and Yang Dong-geun.

Is Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2 of Squid Game?

Netflix

Squid Game: The Challenge is a competition show inspired by the world of Squid Game. According to the official synopsis from Netflix, the 456 players are all playing familiar and new games and "their strategies, alliances, and character will be put to the test while competitors are eliminated around them."

Who won Squid Game 2023?

Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Netflix

The winner of Squid Game: The Challenge season 1 is Mai Whelan, while the winner of the fictional Squid Game contest is Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae).

Give us your craziest Squid Game season 2 theory in the comments, and check out what Hwang Dong-hyuk had to say about season 3.

This post has been updated.

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