Equal Pay – it sounds pretty retro, doesn’t it? The term conjures up images of The Dagenham Girls, Barbara Castle and banners which read ‘Equal Pay Now’.
However, sadly, this is a battle which still hasn’t been won. New analysis from consultancy firm Deloitte has found that the gender pay gap will not be eradicated until 2069. That’s nearly 100 years after the Equal Pay Act was brought into effect.
Deloitte have found that although the pay gap is closing, it’s happening excruciatingly slowly.The gap is currently at 9.4% for full time workers, which is the narrowest it’s ever been but the fact that it still exists at all is a sign that not enough is being done. To put this into context Deloitte’s research finds that the difference in hourly pay between full time men and women is closing at a rate of just 2.5p a year.
They have also found that women graduates are earning less than their male peers in many jobs, including sectors where women dominate such as healthcare and teaching. In nine out of ten of the most popular occupations for graduates, men start out on a higher average salary than women and this gap widens over time.
As for why the pay gap still persists, Deloitte’s report states myriad and complex reasons. These include women being more likely to take jobs where pay is relatively low, such as in care; women taking time out from their career for family reasons (which include having children, looking after children and caring for relatives); and taking less well paid jobs when they return from such time out. The report states ‘there may also be unconscious discrimination at work and within organisations that affect decisions about jobs and pay.’
Interestingly, analysing the pay gap by degree qualification and sector, Deloitte found that there was no difference in average starting salary in either the medicine and dentistry or engineering and technology sectors. However, the same could not be said for those who graduated in the following subjects: computer science, creative arts and design, mathematical sciences, education, law and business and administrative studies.
In her first speech after becoming Prime Minister, Theresa May made it clear that equality was at the top of her agenda. This most recent research confirms that there’s still much work to be done.
The Women’s Equality Party are challenging both the Government and employers to make radical changes to end the gender pay gap. Their leader, Sophie Walker, said: 'In 1970, the Equal Pay Act was passed to ensure women were paid on the same terms as men. We cannot wait a hundred years to see this become a reality. Emma Thompson said in May that she didn’t want to die before the pay gap was closed – unfortunately, she and many more of us look set to be very disappointed.'
The Women’s Equality Party are calling for all companies to publish their pay data now, in advance of new legislation coming into effect in 2018 which will force them to do so. 'The data is there already, and WE are encouraging progressive companies to get ahead of the game by showing transparency now,' Walker said. 'WE will offer support to companies who make bold and sustained efforts to eradicate the gender pay gap, which is so firmly entrenched in our working culture. Next year, WE will introduce a kitemark for those who show best practice.'
Finally, Walker added, 'We need to tackle working culture, childcare costs and unconscious discrimination, all of which contribute to women taking low-paid jobs, taking time out of their careers for caring, and being passed over for promotion in favour of male colleagues.'
If you’re 25 now, you’ll be 78 in 2069. Let’s hope we start to see some real change on the gender pay gap before this generation of working women have retired.
To help, join the Women's Equality Party. This gap isn't going to close until we make our voices heard. Women's labour is just as valuble as men's, that was true in 1970 and it's true now. We can't wait any longer.
You might also be interested in:
Why You Need To Care About The Gender Pay Gap And How To Combat It
The Women's Equality Party's Policies: Here's Your Need To Know
Follow Vicky on Twitter @Victoria_Spratt
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.