Gender pay gap narrows
Nov 12 2009
Gender gap twice as high in private sector
The gender pay gap narrowed during the past 12 months.
For full-time employees, the pay gap is 12.2 per cent, down from 12.6 per cent in 2008, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
However, full-time female employees working in the private sector are paid on average 20.8 per cent less than their male colleagues, compared to a difference of 11.6 per cent in the public sector.
Dianah Worman, diversity adviser at HR and recruitment body the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), says: ‘The government faces an uphill struggle in its efforts to change employer attitudes to closing the gender pay gap, which the latest ONS figures show still remain far too wide.’
A survey from the CIPD revealed that only one in five private sector employers measure their gender pay gap.
Ingrid Waterfield, head of reward at professional services firm KPMG, says: ‘Equal pay audits can help to tangibly measure the achievement of fairness, and we believe that a fair approach to reward and recognition has a positive impact on employee engagement.’
Research from consultancy firm DDI revealed that female managers receive less specialist training at all levels of the career ladder, with 28 per cent more men than women receiving specialist training at the first level of management – rising to 50 per cent more men at the executive level.
Comment by Jane Woods
Tuesday 12th January 2010It's pleasing to see some changes but let's not kid ourselves too much! Traditional women's jobs are still paid at a significantly lower level than if they were a male preserve and women are still disadvantanged when taking time off for maternity leave etc. But any improvement is to be encouraged! I have written more about this in my blog.....or maybe that should be 'ranted'? Jane www.changingpeople.co.uk/blog
Report this comment
Comments [1]