Gender pay gap is 'women's choice'
Oct 23 2008
The public should make less of a song and dance about the gender pay gap, as most of it is due to choices made by each side, a new report states.
Should We Mind the Gap from Professor J R Shackleton states the difference in pay for men and women is not anything the government can affect, as it is largely due to choices made by women on working conditions and values.
The report, released by the Institute of Economic Affairs, says rather than employers discriminating, the gap is due to women choosing lesser paid jobs or part-time work to enable them to have a family.
According to the publication, British people should make 'far less of a song and dance about the gender pay gap', stating equal pay and anti-discrimination laws may be counter-productive.
Shackleton says: 'The pay gap is falling but is also a reflection of individuals' lifestyle preferences. Government can't regulate or legislate these away – and shouldn't try to.'
One example in the report of lifestyle choices affecting pay is that men tend to work longer hours and do more overtime than their female counterparts, as twice as many males than women will work a 48-hour week.
Research from smallbusiness.co.uk last month found the lack of pay equality in the workplace led to 11 per cent of respondents starting their own firm.
Kamel Hothi, Asian markets director at Lloyds TSB, told the website career breaks still affect women's pay as they miss out on opportunities.