The Equity Index, produced by Lead 5050, has revealed which employers in construction are doing best at achieving gender equality
Produced by Lead 5050, the Equity Index 2022/23 uses official data on average salaries, bonuses, and pay at every level to drive equality.
The index includes every organisation in the UK – both public and private sector – that has more than 250 employees, as well as a number of smaller employers who have chosen to submit data on gender-based pay.
Researchers have also used the data to identify trends in workplace equality across multiple economic sectors.
For employers working in construction, the median score is just 30.1, making it significantly worse than the average sector, which is 51.5.
Other sectors which scored poorly include motoring (40.3) and finance and insurance (37.8).
The overall top ten of employers working in construction are:
- BDW Trading
- Redrow Homes
- Miller Homes
- Fortem Solutions
- Laing O’Rourke Services
- Springfield Properties
- Mammoet
- Taylor Wimpey
- Skanska Construction
- PN Daly
BDW Trading was noted to have a tiny median pay gap and strong representation of women across all levels of the organisation
BDW Trading- part of Barrett Developments- has an overall mean pay gap of 4.1 per cent – which is significantly lower than the industry average.
David Thomas, chief executive of Barratt Developments, said: “Traditionally the construction industry has consisted of a majority male workforce, and our business is no different. However, we are pleased to have been able to move the dial on gender representation over the last 5 years.
“Our gender pay gap continues to be better than the national average but we cannot stand still. Through such elements as talent programmes, employee networks, succession planning, early careers and mentoring we are working hard to be a diverse and inclusive employer.”
The Lead5050 Equity Index uses mutiple strands of data in their analysis
The Index’s data team uses these employers’ public submissions to identify their median gender pay gap, the mean gender pay gap, pay across different quartiles, and bonus payments.
A weighted algorithm then converts the data to an overall score that reflects how closely each employer is to an “ideal” state of complete gender pay parity.
This goes beyond typical gender pay-gap rankings which use just one data point – overall median pay for men and women within an organisation.
Closing the gender pay gap would benefit the economy
Leanne Linacre, CEO of Lead5050, said:“While the UK is a world leader in ensuring employers provide transparent data on gender-related pay, after years of progress, the gender pay gap for full-time workers has increased.
“At the same time, the number of job vacancies rose to a record level last year whilst the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite adversely affecting women who are having to reduce their hours of work because of the cost of childcare.
“Closing the gender pay gap would strengthen the economy as higher wages would encourage more women to either enter the labour market or extend their working hours.
“Gender pay equality must become a key priority of the construction sector if we want to make construction not just fairer but stronger, too.”
The gender pay gap summit will continue to discuss these issues
The results of the Equity Index are announced a month before Lead5050 hosts its first Gender Pay Gap Summit in Westminster on April 18th.
The summit will see political and business leaders come together to discuss ways to close the UK’s gender pay gap.
