Blog
Close the Gap - international news (3)
This post captures news from around the world on the causes of the gender pay gap and equal pay. This includes issues such as occupational segregation, gender equality in the labour market, flexible working and much more.
Tanzania
Female Students Shy Away From Science Courses
Ghana
Minister calls on women to embrace jobs in ICT sector
Australia
Time is running out to close the gender wage gap
Australian women lagging in super, pay, board spots
Australia ignoring hidden resource
Canada
Stereotypes keep women away from science
Caribbean
Legislation will end differentiation of pay for women in the workplace
Pakistan
Women enjoying full rights in Pakistan, working in all departments: Bilawal
Singapore
Close the Gap - monthly international news (1)
Every month Close the Gap will capture news from around the world on the causes of the gender pay gap and equal pay. This includes issues such as occupaitonal segregation, gender equality in the labour market, flexibly working and much more. This edition covers January and February 2012
NEWS
European Parliament news
Still much to do to redress gender inequality in the EU, says committee
Uganda: Daily Monitor
Policy alternatives needed to bridge gender gap for science courses
Swaziland: Swazi Observer
Gender inequalities lead to unequal development
The Australian - National Affairs
Julia Gillard-Equal Work, Equal Pay
Australia News
Equal pay day: Huge win for women 'could help close wage gap'
EQUAL PAY DAY: Huge win for women 'could help close wage gap'
Central Western Daily
Pay rise right on the money for workers
Australia: The Conversation
The reality of the gender wage gap
Voxy News
New Zealand women left behind on pay
Northern Rivers Echo
CBA wins Catalyst gender award
The India Times
Business Wire Ireland
Research and Markets: Salary & Compensation: ASTD's Learning and Development
The Irish Times
Great strides made towards gender equality but playing field is still not level
Hogan says gender balance proposals could change face of politics forever
Irish Independent
Maeve Dineen: Gender equality still has a long way to go at Davos
Irish women better qualified than men but earn less and work fewer hours - report
Sweden: Information Daily
Women Managers Make Proposals For Greater Gender Equality
The Gulf Today
USA
Los Angeles Times:
Harvard News
Stop Tying Pay to Performance. The evidence is overwhelming: It doesn’t work.
The Sacromento Bee
Columbia Spectator
University stalling on salary gender gap
Forbes
Breaking the Silicon Ceiling: Women Innovate Mobile
Think Progress Economy
Women Still Earn Far Less Than Men
North Carolina-News & Observer
N.C. job reductions hit women, minorities hardest
CTI Career Search
Study Shows Gender Gap In STEM Careers May Persist For A Century
New Jersey
Gender gap in N.J. women's pay deserves attention
Google - Associated Press
Women in Film celebrates female Oscar nominees
Opposing Views
White House Helping Break Glass Ceiling for Women & Girls
Cayman News Services
Times Colonist
Times Herald-Record
Miss Representation' spotlights gender bias
Canada The Province
February 24: Work Your Proper Hours Day
Feb 24 is Work Your Proper Hours Day. This date is when the average worker in the UK who does unpaid overtime finishes the unpaid days they do every year and starts working for themselves.
It is estimated that over 5 million people did unpaid overtime in 2011. And with an average of 7.2 hours of unpaid overtime, the TUC estimate this is worth £29.2 billion to the UK economy. In Scotland, the number of people who do unpaid overtime has increased by 5% from 2010 to 417,000 people in 2011.
The TUC have calculated that the highest number of workers working unpaid overtime are concentrated in the public sector, where 27.8% of all employees work unpaid overtime compared to 18.6% of private sector employees. In Scotland, two-thirds of public sector workers are women and as job cuts and pay freezes continue in the public sector, it is likely that more and more women will be expected to do more for less.
The proportion of employees in their late 50s and early 60s working unpaid overtime has increased sharply in the last decade, but those aged 35-54 are still working the most hours of unpaid overtime. This is perhaps is not surprising as the majority of the workforce will fall into that age category and it coincides with the pivotal point for many individuals progressing their careers.
The TUC argue this is equivalent to approximately 1 million full-time equivalent jobs, but acknowledge that the presenteeism culture of many workplaces in the UK is part of the problem, rather than the unpaid overtime translating directly into jobs.
Presenteeism has a profound effect on women’s participation in the labour market. Workplace culture can be a barrier to women’s retention and progression within the workplace. The need to be seen to be putting in the extra hours do not fit with the family-friendly working practices many women (and men) need. This is particularly acute when we consider that the age profile of highest level of unpaid overtime coincides with the point at which many women may be thinking of starting a family, returning to work after a career/maternity break and/or are looking for a promotion that fits round their caring responsibilities.
Presenteeism in the workplace limits the choices for those who have caring responsibilities, the vast majority of whom are women. As a result women are forced to look for part-time work, often in lower valued and low paid positions or leave the labour market as they cannot afford to work due to the high costs of childcare. As women’s unemployment continues to rise there is an even greater case to ensure that the barriers to women’s participation in the workplace are addressed.
Long hours are bad for our health; cause stress; they wreck relationships; they make caring for children or dependents more difficult; and tired, burnt-out workers are bad for business and economic growth.
Work Your Proper Hours Day website has a long-hours clinic and calculator to check and map your workplace culture.
Close the Gap newsround (12)
This week's newsround includes articles on occupational segregation and gender stereotyping.
NEWS - UK
The Guardian
The female unemployment crisis
Female playwrights still face sexism – it's time we admitted it
Labour looks to Denmark for childcare policy
Labour's childcare plans will help families work
HR Magazine
Female-to-male management ratio across Europe is 29:71
Europe University World News
Why universities need more women at the top
EVENTS
International Women's Day - Women in Scotland 2012 - The Big Picture
Close the Gap will be speaking at Engender's Women in Scotland 2012 Conference being held on International Women's Day Wednesday 8 March in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, 10am-4.30pm
The event is an opportunity to take part in discussions around; gender budgeting, occupational segregation, welfare reform and poverty, childcare, women in the economy and many more issues. For more details about this FREE event click on the link above.
Equality in Employment: Gender, Diversity and Inclusion in the Financial Service Sector
Thursday 8 March, London 12.30 – 16.30
The Equality and Human Rights Commission in collaboration with City HR Associates and the Financial Services Authority are holding an International Women’s Day Symposium to consider some of the challenging questions around progression and compensation of women in the finance industry.
Apprenticeships and Training Conference 2012
Thursday 29 March, Edinburgh
Emma Ritch, Project Manager at Close the Gap will be speaking at the Apprenticeship and Training Conference on gender stereotyping in educaiton and training and the impact on sustainable economic growth.
Close the Gap newsround (11)
This week's newsround includes articles on occupational segregation, gender stereotyping and equal pay.
NEWS - SCOTLAND
The Courier - Tayside and Fife
Low-paid workers win right to have backdated wages claim heard at tribunal
NEWS - UK
The Guardian
Equality: coalition is missing the point about women
Women chefs on how they chopped to the top
Women at work: edging towards equality
Can David Cameron be made to understand what women want?
Bafta awards: British women vie for writing prizes
The Independent
Women swelling the ranks of the jobless
The Telegraph
Women and young bear brunt of rise in unemployment, says think tank IPPR
Bury Times
Equal pay appeal hearing will go ahead
EVENTS
Women and Work - Scottish Parliament
Tuesday 21 February, 2pm-4pm
Close the Gap will be participating in the Equal Opportunities Committee’s round-table session on Women and Work during Trade Union Week. Contact Ann Henderson at the STUC (t) 0141 337 8100 for further information on how to register to attend.
International Women's Day - Women in Scotland 2012 - The Big Picture
Close the Gap will be speaking at Engender's Women in Scotland 2012 Conference being held on International Women's Day Wednesday 8 March in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, 10am-4.30pm
The event is an opportunity to take part in discussions around; gender budgeting, occupational segregation, welfare reform and poverty, childcare, women in the economy and many more issues. For more details about this FREE event click on the link above.
Equality in Employment: Gender, Diversity and Inclusion in the Financial Service Sector
Thursday 8 March, London 12.30 – 16.30
The Equality and Human Rights Commission in collaboration with City HR Associates and the Financial Services Authority are holding an International Women’s Day Symposium to consider some of the challenging questions around progression and compensation of women in the finance industry.
Apprenticeships and Training Conference 2012
Thursday 29 March, Edinburgh
Emma Ritch, Project Manager at Close the Gap will be speaking at the Apprenticeship and Training Conference on gender stereotyping in educaiton and training and the impact on sustainable economic growth.
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