ONS says gender pay gap has narrowed
Mon, 16 Nov 2009
The gender pay gap narrowed between 2008 and 2009, latest figures have indicated.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the gap – measured by the median hourly pay excluding overtime – fell from 12.6 per cent in 2008 to 12.2 per cent this year.
Part-time female employees have fared even better, it appears, with the gap down by two per cent.
The average full-time wage for males in April 2009 was £12.97 per hour, compared to £11.39 for their female counterparts.
When calculated using the mean rather than the median, women's hourly pay stood at 16.4 per cent less than men's pay for full-time employees and 13.2 per cent for those working part-time.
According to the ONS, the widest gaps are found in the skilled trades sector, with the narrowest existing in professional occupations.
Last week, Maxine Benson, co-founder of the female business support group Everywoman claimed that the gender pay gap remains a problem in the UK.
She claimed that many women are not even aware of the earnings disparity and where they are, they often fail to ask their employer for more money.
"Even with the most senior of women, many of them grapple with having confidence to talk about money and request the pay that they should have," said Ms Benson.
Posted by Steve Williams
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