EHRC: Flexible working key to improving gender equality
06th September 2011
Adopting flexible working practices is one of the most significant ways employers can help improve gender equality in the workplace, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has said.
Last week (August 31st), the Chartered Management Institute published its National Management Salary Survey for 2011, revealing that male executives are still paid in excess of £10,000 more than their female counterparts.
The institute calculated that, at the current rate, it would take nearly 100 years before female executives received equal pay to men.
However, according to the EHRC, there are a number of things businesses and organisations can do to speed this up, with providing flexible working options for their staff one of the most effective methods.
"There is research to show that people tend to recruit people who are similar to them. While that might be quite difficult to address, there are definitely practical things that businesses can do to make it easier for women to access those senior levels. We'd place the emphasis on that," said a spokeswoman for the commission.
"We're very keen on flexible working practices - allowing people to work part time, at home [and at] different hours. It's basically about businesses having a can-do attitude to people who have responsibilities outside of work as well."
She added that this will not only benefit female employees, but to any staff with families.
The EHRC also wants to see businesses provide greater transparency over salaries, revealing how much they pay staff and what their gender pay gap is.
"If businesses know that they have to be transparent about their salaries and their gender pay gap they have an additional motivation for addressing the issue," the spokeswoman commented.
The EHRC's recent Sex and Power 2011 Survey calculated that there are 5,400 fewer women in the most powerful 26,000 job posts in the UK than there would be if they received equal employment opportunity to men.
Back to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion News
Related Equality News
How can employers support LGBT staff?
14th May 2013
Posted by Richard McKenna
Employers could be reviewing their workplace inclusion policies in the ...
Inclusive Employers to host women's equality event
09th May 2013
Posted by Richard McKenna
A debate on issues surrounding women's equality is set to be held by In...
How can employers remove the glass ceiling for women?
19th April 2013
Posted by Richard McKenna
Employers might need to address gender equality in the workplace issues...