The Gender Pay Gap: Debunking Myths and Exploring Solutions

What is the Gender Pay Gap?

The Gender Pay Gap is a term used to describe the differences in wages earned by men and women in the workforce. It is typically measured by the median earnings of men and women and displayed as a percentage.

Unfortunately, in most countries, there is a difference between the earnings of men and women – and this is what we call the Gender Pay Gap.

The reasons for this pay gap vary, from discrimination to the undervaluing of traditionally female-dominated professions.

Additionally, research has shown the pay gap increases for women of colour, leading to further disparities.

To reduce the Gender Pay Gap, governments, businesses, and other organisations need to be proactive in developing strategies to reduce the gender pay gap and ensure equal pay for all.

Why do women get paid less?

In 2022 the difference between average hourly earnings for men and women in the United Kingdom for all workers was 14.9%.

This pay gap exists due to a variety of factors, including the fact that women are more likely to work in lower-paid roles and that the industries dominated by women are typically undervalued.

What’s more, discrimination and bias in the workplace can lead to a lack of progression for women, as well as the idea that a woman's career is less of a priority than a man’s.

These factors all contribute to the gender pay gap and ultimately create a system which rewards male workers more than their female counterparts.

To address this issue, it is necessary to act at a societal and corporate level to eliminate discrimination and create a level playing field for women.

Is the Gender Pay Gap important?

The Gender Pay Gap is an incredibly important issue in the workforce today.

Because it is a discrepancy in the amount of pay received by men and women for performing the same work, it is a systemic problem causing financial inequality between men and women.  

It is important to address the Gender Pay Gap, not only to level the playing field but to help close the wealth gap between men and women and make sure everyone is getting a fair chance at economic success.

It is important to keep in mind that this is not just a problem for women, but for wider society.

When women earn less than their male counterparts, it affects their quality of life and the ability to support their families. It is essential to recognise the importance of the Gender Pay Gap and strive for equal pay for equal work.

How is the gender pay gap measured?

The gender pay gap in the UK has a long and complex history, beginning in the 1970s when the Equal Pay Act was passed.

In 2017, the government introduced legislation which made it statutory for organisations with 250 or more employees to report annually on their pay gap.

This means these businesses must report on:

• Mean and median gender pay gaps
• Mean and median gender bonus gaps
• Proportion of men and women who received bonuses
• Proportions of male and female employees in each pay quartile

This report must be submitted by 30^th March each year.

Despite this legislation, disparities in wages between men and women persist, and today on average the difference between hourly earnings for men and women in the United Kingdom for all workers is 14.9%.

What causes the gender pay gap?

It is believed that a major factor in the existence of the gender pay gap is the prevalence of women in lower-paid and part-time jobs, as well as a lack of access to flexible working hours.

Discrimination in the workplace has also been highlighted as a major contributor, as well as a general undervaluing of female workers in certain sectors.

Because of this, it is essential for the UK to keep tackling the gender pay gap through education, support, and the implementation of further legislation.

Is the Gender Pay Gap still an issue?

The gender pay gap is still a very real and very relevant issue today, despite years of progress and advances in gender equality.

Studies have found women are paid less than men in the same roles and even when they have the same qualifications and experience.

The gap is especially large for women of colour and women in certain professions, like those in STEM.

The gender pay gap is not only an issue of equity and fairness, but it also has real-world economic consequences for women and their families.

To truly close the gap, it will take commitment and hard work from employers, policymakers, and individuals to make sure everyone has equal pay for equal work.

Why is there a Gender Pay Gap?

The gender pay gap is an issue which has been present for decades and is unfortunately still present today.

There are a multitude of reasons for this gap, including systemic sexism and bias in the workplace, lack of access to higher-paying roles for women, lack of mentorship and support for female employees, and inadequate parental leave and childcare policies.

These factors can result in women being undervalued and underpaid for their work, perpetuating a cycle of unequal pay between genders.

As a society, we need to recognise the effects of this issue and take steps to close the gender pay gap and promote equality in the workplace.

How can the Gender Pay Gap be reduced?

The gender pay gap has been a major issue for many years, and it's time to take steps to reduce it.

One way to start is by encouraging employers to pay based on performance, experience, and qualifications, instead of basing wages being affected by a person’s gender.

Employers should review their hiring processes to ensure that women have the same opportunities for both employment and advancement as their male counterparts.

Finally, employers should work to create an inclusive environment and be mindful of their workplace culture to ensure it is welcoming and supportive to everyone, regardless of gender.

By taking these measures, we can begin to move towards reducing the gender pay gap.

How redwigwam’s AI-powered software can help reduce the Gender Pay Gap.

Progressive companies like redwigwam are already making moves to reduce the Gender Pay Gap.

We’re delighted to confirm in our business, men and women are paid equally.

Our AI-powered software ensures jobs are matched based on skill and location. When a worker registers with redwigwam, we don’t ask their gender, ensuring it can’t be considered when someone applies for a job.

Redwigwam is proud to be at the forefront of the AI revolution for the recruitment industry, helping people find meaningful work, and businesses find fantastic talent. In a completely fair, and equal way.