Survey reveals widening gender gap in pay

According to the latest figures from a UK-wide survey, female employees are earning an average of 27% less than their male colleagues, up slightly from £24% in the last study.

The largest gap was in London, where on average the male employee earned just over £39,000 a year, some 35% more that a female employee on an average of around £28,800. Northern Ireland showed the smallest gender gap at 15%, and next smallest was the North East of England at 19%.

The report was compiled from salary data entered by registrants to PayFinder.com from August 2004 to August 2005. A similar report, identifying the gender divide for 2004, published last year based on data from registrants of the same year found that in 2004 men earned an average 24% more.

This year's study which was based on data provided by 40,000 workers to Pathfinder.com found that regional breakdown in terms of percentage more earned by men was:

• London - 35%
• East Midlands - 32%
• South East - 32%
• North West - 30%
• South West - 30%
• Scotland - 29%
• East of England - 29%
• Yorkshire & Humber - 26%
• West Midlands - 24%
• Wales - 21%
• North East 19%
• Northern Ireland 15%

Spokesperson for Pathfinder, CJ Brough said: "Despite the significance to our lives, salaries are a notoriously hush-hush subject. With PayFinder we are exposing any gaps, forcing employers and employees alike to smooth out any discrepancies. Invariably discrepancies in salary are explained via a difference in ability, which in turn is based on skill set and experience. Aside from the legal ramifications, it's a nonsense that gender could be a factor in determining salary level."

She dismissed female job choice as a possible cause for the finding, as the PayFinder data revealed "regardless of industry and job role, men still earn more than women."

Ms Brough said: "This year's PayFinder report highlights that sex discrimination is still rife in the workplace. Women need to be diligent and take the lead in checking that their pay is fair and equal.

"Unfortunately the fairer sex do tend to shy from wage negotiations, whereas conversely, men often have no such reservations. Research conducted by the site in February of this year identified that 66% of women are too scared to ask for more money versus just 24% of men."

PayFinder.com is a salary database that enables anyone to compare their salary. Users anonymously enter their remuneration details, alongside age, industry and role to create a bespoke report that highlights how their salary matches up.

Since its launch in 2003 over 160,000 employees have registered with the site.

(SP/KMcA)