Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
    • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
    • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Equality, diversity and inclusionSupplier News

turner parkinson warns of further female redundancies

by Personnel Today 2 Feb 2009
by Personnel Today 2 Feb 2009

Manchester law firm turner parkinson is warning that female redundancies are unlikely to decline as the economic downturn continues to claim ailing businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors.

A recent survey by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) revealed that women are being hit harder than ever during the latest downturn, as female redundancy rates increased by 2.3 per cent from January to September 2008; almost double the rate for males (1.2 per cent).

The latest figures come in scant contrast to previous downturns, when fewer females were in employment, and male dominated industries such as manufacturing and mining were the worst affected.

Now, however, many households rely on both a male and a female wage, with women earning more than men in a fifth of couples.

Sarah Turner, employment law partner at turner parkinson LLP, comments: “These latest figures reflect the great strides women have made in the UK jobs market over the last fifty years.

“Previous downturns have seen male-led industries suffer, leading women who hadn’t previously worked into jobs to supplement the family income. Now females are established in the UK jobs market, and both men and women are being made redundant as a variety of sectors are forced to make cost saving cutbacks.

In the current downturn, dubbed the ‘retail recession’ due to its disastrous impact on high street sales, many experts believe that female redundancy rates are unlikely to fall. Turner comments: 

“The retail and hospitality sectors are really feeling the pinch, and forecasts suggest that female redundancies will continue long into 2009 as the UK’s consumer economy continues to weaken. As a result, it is essential that women are aware of their statutory rights and entitlements.

“In light of the economic climate, It is important for companies to be reasonable and open when making redundancies, and consult with their workforce.”

Many also believe that women could be denied access to jobs during the downturn. Turner says: “Recent years have brought a huge increase in family friendly rights available to employees such as enhanced maternity rights, flexible working and parental leave.

Many employers view these rights as a considerable expense and disruption to the business. Given that many still perceive women as the primary child carers, this may lead to women losing out to men on recruitment.

“The progress of equality at work could be jeopardised by the recession.“

Avatar
Personnel Today

previous post
Commuters stranded as snow brings many workplaces to a standstill
next post
Urquhart partnership to invest £500,000 in e-learning

You may also like

Don’t be gloomy over social mobility in the...

24 Jun 2022

Bias stopping STEM professionals returning after career break

23 Jun 2022

Black, Asian and LGBTQ+ workers ‘overlooked’ at work

20 Jun 2022

UK in urgent need of female tradespeople finds...

17 Jun 2022

CIPD Festival of Work: ‘Businesses will fail if...

16 Jun 2022

Construction blighted by skills shortage as sector steps...

16 Jun 2022

Google to pay $118m to settle equal pay...

15 Jun 2022

Diversity versus inclusion: Why the difference matters

13 Jun 2022

Authenticity at work: Is it really ‘all about...

9 Jun 2022

EU agrees on 40% quota for women on...

8 Jun 2022
  • NSPCC revamps its learning strategy with child wellbeing at its heart PROMOTED | The NSPCC’s mission is to prevent abuse and neglect...Read more
  • Diversity versus inclusion: Why the difference matters PROMOTED | It’s possible for an environment to be diverse, but not inclusive...Read more
  • Five steps for organisations across the globe to become more skills-driven PROMOTED | The shift in the world of work has been felt across the globe...Read more
  • The future of workforce development PROMOTED | Northumbria University and partners share insight...Read more
  • Strathclyde Business School expands its Degree Apprenticeship offer in England PROMOTED | The University of Strathclyde is expanding its programmes...Read more
  • The Search for Talent: Six Major Employer Pitfalls PROMOTED | The Great Resignation continues unabated...Read more
  • Navigating the widening “Skills Confidence Gap” in 2022, and beyond PROMOTED | Cornerstone OnDemand conducted a global study...Read more
  • Apprenticeships are the solution to your recruitment problems PROMOTED | Apprenticeships have the pulling power...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2022

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2022 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
    • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+