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Public 'want to end' salary gender gap

Published: Friday, 30 October 2009   Category: Diversity Jobs

A new poll has shown today (October 30th) that 85 per cent of the British public are behind calls for employers, including those offering graduate jobs, to ensure they are paying men and women equally.

The survey, conducted by the Fawcett Society and Unison, coincides with Equal Pay Day - the point of the year where women can be said to be working for free due to the differences in salaries between the genders.

Research from the Fawcett Society revealed that the average gap between annual earnings for men and women is 21.2 per cent and it is calling on the government to toughen up its equality bill.

Ceri Goddard, chief executive of the group, said: "Women were promised equal pay nearly forty years ago when the Equal Pay Act was passed. It's time to finally make good on that pledge."

According to the Guardian, the Department for Communities and Local Government will launch a fire and rescue management employment programme designed especially for women next year.