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07/11/2012
Gender Pay Gap Could Worsen
Today is Equal Pay Day in the UK.
This marks the point in the year when women in effect start 'working for nothing' compared to men, as the gap in pay between women and men means on average for every £100 men take home, women are getting £85 – a 14.9 per cent difference.
Ceri Goddard, Chief Executive of the Fawcett Society said: "The gap in pay between women and men is one of the starkest indictors of how different nations are faring when it comes to equality between the sexes. Here in the UK, women still earn an average 14.9 per cent less than men. In recent years, progress on closing the gap has slowed, but as the age of austerity bites, we now face the very real prospect of the gap actually widening for the first time since records began.
"The UK’s workforce is experiencing dramatic change. With around three-quarters of a million public sector jobs predicted to go by 2017, government is pinning its hopes on the hundreds of thousands of women – who will make up the majority of those who will lose their jobs - being able to find work in the private sector. But this sphere has historically suffered a much larger pay gap – 20.4 per cent to the public sector’s 13.2 per cent."
Plans to pull down public sector pay to reflect local private sector rates will also hit women harder than men, according to the Chief Executive, while the recently floated policy of enabling workers to 'sell off' progressive employment rights in exchange for company shares also threatens to further drive down women’s wages.
"At the same time, women’s unemployment stands at a record 24 year high and growing numbers of women have been forced into low paid, part-time and insecure employment - 'underemployment'," she continued.
"Far from slowly moving forward, we now face going into reverse. If government wants to avoid an unprecedented backwards step on its watch, they must take more action.
"The UK needs a dedicated women’s employment strategy, and more must be done to enable the private sector to ensure a fair deal for women . At the same time, the government must stick to its guns on welcome plans to extend the right to request flexible work to all and reform of the parental leave system such that caring responsibilities can be better shared between parents who chose.
"Ensuring that basic employment rights are not branded as 'red tape' and getting employers to undertake simple payroll checks so women don’t lose out would also demonstrate real commitment to the millions of women being hit with a double whammy of unequal pay and frozen or shrinking salaries."
Ms Goddard warned failure to take concerted action now could well consign another generation of women to unequal pay, which as we have seen in the US elections, is not something that female voters are likely to take lightly in already tough times.
(GK/IT)
This marks the point in the year when women in effect start 'working for nothing' compared to men, as the gap in pay between women and men means on average for every £100 men take home, women are getting £85 – a 14.9 per cent difference.
Ceri Goddard, Chief Executive of the Fawcett Society said: "The gap in pay between women and men is one of the starkest indictors of how different nations are faring when it comes to equality between the sexes. Here in the UK, women still earn an average 14.9 per cent less than men. In recent years, progress on closing the gap has slowed, but as the age of austerity bites, we now face the very real prospect of the gap actually widening for the first time since records began.
"The UK’s workforce is experiencing dramatic change. With around three-quarters of a million public sector jobs predicted to go by 2017, government is pinning its hopes on the hundreds of thousands of women – who will make up the majority of those who will lose their jobs - being able to find work in the private sector. But this sphere has historically suffered a much larger pay gap – 20.4 per cent to the public sector’s 13.2 per cent."
Plans to pull down public sector pay to reflect local private sector rates will also hit women harder than men, according to the Chief Executive, while the recently floated policy of enabling workers to 'sell off' progressive employment rights in exchange for company shares also threatens to further drive down women’s wages.
"At the same time, women’s unemployment stands at a record 24 year high and growing numbers of women have been forced into low paid, part-time and insecure employment - 'underemployment'," she continued.
"Far from slowly moving forward, we now face going into reverse. If government wants to avoid an unprecedented backwards step on its watch, they must take more action.
"The UK needs a dedicated women’s employment strategy, and more must be done to enable the private sector to ensure a fair deal for women . At the same time, the government must stick to its guns on welcome plans to extend the right to request flexible work to all and reform of the parental leave system such that caring responsibilities can be better shared between parents who chose.
"Ensuring that basic employment rights are not branded as 'red tape' and getting employers to undertake simple payroll checks so women don’t lose out would also demonstrate real commitment to the millions of women being hit with a double whammy of unequal pay and frozen or shrinking salaries."
Ms Goddard warned failure to take concerted action now could well consign another generation of women to unequal pay, which as we have seen in the US elections, is not something that female voters are likely to take lightly in already tough times.
(GK/IT)
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19 August 2014
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Female managers over 40 years old are earning 35% less than men, according to new data by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and XpertHR. To earn the same as a male manager over a career, a woman would have to work the equivalent of over 14 years more.
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Female managers over 40 years old are earning 35% less than men, according to new data by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and XpertHR. To earn the same as a male manager over a career, a woman would have to work the equivalent of over 14 years more.
17 February 2004
UK sees 20% increase in multiple births over 10 years
Mothers are having 20% more multiple births than they were a decade ago, according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Statistics have revealed that in 2002, the multiple birth rate was 15 per 1,000 women giving birth, compared with 12.5 in 1992.
UK sees 20% increase in multiple births over 10 years
Mothers are having 20% more multiple births than they were a decade ago, according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Statistics have revealed that in 2002, the multiple birth rate was 15 per 1,000 women giving birth, compared with 12.5 in 1992.
04 March 2009
EU Launches Campaign To Tackle Gender Pay Gap
The European Commission has launched an EU-wide campaign to help tackle the gender pay gap. Across the EU economy, women earn on average 17.4% less than men.
EU Launches Campaign To Tackle Gender Pay Gap
The European Commission has launched an EU-wide campaign to help tackle the gender pay gap. Across the EU economy, women earn on average 17.4% less than men.
09 February 2009
Harman: 'Sexism In The City' To Be Investigated
Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality, will today tell a trade union equality conference that the Government is going to clamp down on unfair pay and discrimination against women working in the finance sector.
Harman: 'Sexism In The City' To Be Investigated
Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality, will today tell a trade union equality conference that the Government is going to clamp down on unfair pay and discrimination against women working in the finance sector.
27 February 2006
Report highlights gender pay gap in the UK
Women are still being paid less than men, thirty years after the introduction of equal pay legislation, a new report has found. The government-commissioned "Shaping a Fairer Future" report from the Women and Work Commission found that women are earning 17% less than men. This was "bad for women and bad for Britain", the report said.
Report highlights gender pay gap in the UK
Women are still being paid less than men, thirty years after the introduction of equal pay legislation, a new report has found. The government-commissioned "Shaping a Fairer Future" report from the Women and Work Commission found that women are earning 17% less than men. This was "bad for women and bad for Britain", the report said.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
