The gender pay gap, while it still exists, has decreased significantly since the 1970’s however the difference between what men and women take home today still differs greatly after the age of 30.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that figures show that in 1975 16-18 year old men and women were paid close to the same amount, yet after 18 this changed in the men’s favour. At that time 38-year-old men received, on average, 61% more than their female counterparts.
Analysis of the ONS figures show that the average UK hourly wage for men today is £12.64 and £10.38 for women; this is a gap of 21 per cent.
It seems that wage parity between the sexes lasts until around the age of 30. After this age, men start to out earn females.
Some HR experts believe that one explanation for this gap could be because of what is referred to as the “cohort effect.” Factors like gender discrimination legislation and changes within the United Kingdom economy, labour market, social attitudes and school achievements have come into play and have had a great impact on younger women.
Human resource experts also point out that the figures released by the ONS do not account for the different type of occupations men and women hold. So, the fact that women are more likely to work part-time jobs once they start a family is not taken into consideration.
Additionally, some HR experts believe that part of the discrepancy can be attributed to maternity leave and the fact that some women have had career gaps spanning several years. It shouldn’t be expected that after a hiatus a woman would walk in and receive the same salary as a man that has not taken any breaks.
Experts urge management to remember that secrecy clauses have been outlawed, so employees are actually well within their rights to discuss and compare pay. Management should reward and pay employees based on business rather than bias and prejudice (deliberate or otherwise).