Women in the workplace still face considerable barriers which constrain their career choices and hold back levels of pay, according to the interim findings of a government-sponsored report.
The Women and Work Commission’s interim statement claims that a number of factors are combining to fuel the gender pay gap and limit employers’ ability to utilise the skills of working women.
The Commission, due to make its official recommendations in the autumn, found that women working part-time faced particular difficulties, especially around training, promotion and the availability of high quality jobs.
The findings show that the current gender pay gap between men and women stands at 14.4% for full time staff, rising to an alarming 43.2% for part-time workers. Women working part-time earn 33.7% less than full-time female staff, although some of this can be attributed to differences in education and skills.
However, the report praised the government’s commitment to gender equality and its approach to the issue of fair pay.
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Meanwhile, women have closed the trade union gender gap, according to a new report. A woman’s place is in the Union reveals the proportion of working women in trade unions is now 29.3%, compared to 29.4% of men.
www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk
