Figures from the government reveal the depth of the gender pay gap in the construction sector, with women’s wages still behind their male counterparts
The gender pay gap is an issue that still exists across a range of sectors. Last month the Office for National Statistics revealed the sector had the lowest gender pay gap on record, which is undoubtedly good news. However, new figures from the government show while the construction sector performs better than real estate, hospitality, and the transport sector it is still lagging behind in the majority of construction roles.
Pay gap reaches double figures
According to the data the construction gender pay gap reaches double figure percentages in some areas. Supervisors and building trades is where the largest gap is seen, with the former seeing a 23 per cent difference and the later a 23.4 per cent. There is also an 11 per cent gap in the pay of those working on rail construction. Female architects and civil engineers working full-time are paid around 9.9 and 7.3 per cent less per hour, respectively. Female project managers are reportedly paid 2.9 per cent less than their male counterparts, receiving £16.60 per hour compared to £17.10 an hour. Female chartered surveyors are paid marginally more than their male counterparts, with a 0.9 per cent gap.
Minister for Women and Equalities Justine Greening said: “Britain has the lowest gender pay gap on record.
“But if we are to help women to reach their potential and eliminate the gender pay gap, we need to shine a light on our workplaces to see where there is more to do to.”
Closing the gender pay gap
In a bid to close the gender pay gap, a new online tool has been developed to help expose disparity in wages. Furthermore, from next year employers with over 250 staff members will have to report gender pay and gender bonus pay gaps.
“This tool will empower both men and women to challenge this issue in their profession and help people to make more informed decisions about their career,” Greening said.
“Employers must play their part in this too and take action to tackle the gender pay gap in their organisation.
“That’s why we are requiring large employers to publish their gender pay and gender bonus pay gaps for the first time ever and our regulations mean they can start getting ready to report from April next year.”
Details of how employers will need to report these figures have also been published and set out how the information should be collected, as well as printed.
For more details view the draft of The Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017.
