The Gender Pay Gap: what you need to know!

 

• Men are as much as 40% more likely to be promoted in the workplace than women!
• Women still earn, on average, significantly less than men: as much as 26% less!
• The new gender pay gap regulations will cover approximately 40% of the UK workforce.

From April 2017, businesses in the UK with at least 250 employees will be required to publish information relating to pay and bonuses for their male and female employees. These regulations will implement Section 78 of the Equality Act 2010.

But 40 years since the Equal Pay Act, why are we still seeing a gender pay gap across many UK businesses?

I can explain why: The problem we are facing today isn’t so much that women aren’t receiving equal pay for equal work – but that they aren’t getting the equal work in the first place!”

There seems to be some failure in achieving a healthy balance of male and female positions in senior management roles which is resulting in businesses not attracting or retaining highly qualified women into their workforce.

But what can you do about it? You could start by advertising your vacancies as flexible, part-time or as a job share. The TUC believe that flexible working has real benefits for businesses with their employees being more dedicated and productive at work. And show your support to female staff with their career moves and help them progress into higher paid jobs and positions.

On the 8th March this week, we will be supporting and celebrating International Women’s Day at Leeds Town Hall. We will be celebrating the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women and creating awareness around this sensitive topic. Together we can work towards driving greater change for women and moving closer to gender parity!

To show your support please visit the IWD website at www.internationalwomensday.com. Or for further information and guidance on how to implement the new regulations please visit the ACAS website at www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5768.