UK Pay Divide
In 2015, the average salary for men was £29,934 and £24,202 for women – a difference of £5,732 per year.
UK women are likely to earn close to £300,000 less than male colleagues during their career.
Figures based on a 52 year working career show that men will earn £1,556,560 (before tax) whereas women will earn £1,258,504 – a difference of £298,064.
All workers, male and female are entitled to be paid based on their contribution to the company – and nothing else. In the USA it is illegal for men and women to be paid differently for similar job roles carried out.
The World Economic Forum suggests that it will take until around 2133 for men and women to be paid exactly the same salary. The UK government are trying to redress gender imbalance but progress is slow.
The Equal Pay Act 1970 is a framework to help prevent inequalities. There should also be an equality clause in every UK contract.
Contributing factors to the difference in salary include the fact that women are so much more likely to take time off on maternity leave after the birth of a baby. Although it does happen, it is less likely that the father takes paternity leave, perhaps because the benefits of paternity packages are not always as favourable.
If you’d like more information on equal pay, please contact Vaishali Thakerar, Ashley Hunt, Carrie-Ann Randall or Alex Reid at Lawson-West on 0116 212 1000.
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