Trade union Amicus has welcomed the decision of First Direct to sign up to its charter aimed at improving the pay and opportunities for women in financial services.
First Direct, part of banking giant HSBC, has given its commitment to work with Amicus to address gender inequality among its workforce. The company currently conducts equal pay audits on an annual basis and shares the results with the union.
In its two sites at Leeds and Hamilton, Scotland, the company will develop a programme of work to improve the pay of and opportunities for its female employees.
According to Amicus, there is currently a 43% gender pay gap in the financial services sector and women tend to be clustered in particular roles. The private sector union is campaigning to address the historical factors that contribute to gender inequality in the sector.
Union official Justine McCarthy said: “Amicus has been working hard to ensure that equality issues are at the top of the agenda at First Direct. Local workplace representatives have worked tirelessly in campaigning on all equality themes. The culmination of this hard work is the signing of this charter.”
First Direct employs about 3,400 people to provide a 24-hour banking service.
