EQUAL PAY DAY: TIME TO MAKE FLEXIBLE WORKING THE DEFAULT?

Liz Prince our consultant managing the role
Author: Liz Prince
Posting date: 22/11/2023

Today (November 22nd) is the day when, because of the gender pay gap, women overall in the UK stop being paid compared to men.

This means:

  • At the current rate of change, the gender pay gap won't close until 2051—28 years from now
  • Women aged 40 and older (those born before 1983won't see the gender pay gap close before they reach State Pension age 


This year, to mark Equal Pay Day, the Fawcett Society has released new data and a report which shows that making flexible work the default in high-quality, high-paid jobs is essential if we are to see the gender pay gap close more quickly.

The data shows that women are accessing flexible work associated with lower-paid, lower-quality work e.g. part-time, insecure work and zero-hours contracts, in order to balance their caring responsibilities, and that this contributes to the UK's pernicious gender pay gap. 

The Fawcett Society’s evidence reveals that:

  • 40% of women who aren't currently working said that access to flexible work would mean they could take on more paid work (32% of men who aren't working and 37% of people overall said the same)
  • Women were significantly more likely to report working part-time (27%) compared to men (14%)
  • Men were more likely to report having access to more desirable forms of flexible work—for example, working term time only (outside of an education setting) (21%), working as part of a job share (18%), working a number of set hours flexibly across the year (15%) or working to commissioned outcomes (10%).
  • 77% of women agreed that they would be more likely to apply for a job that advertises flexible working options.

 

Jemima Olchawski, Chief Executive of the Fawcett Society, said: “The Chancellor is delivering the Autumn Statement today, but can he really build a thriving economy without closing the gender pay gap? The fact is, if we want a thriving economy, the gender pay gap must close, and to achieve this, our government must make flexible work the default. 

“We see time and time again that women feel they have no choice but to accept lower-paid, lower-quality work in exchange for flexibility, and this isn't fair. A need for flexible working arrangements, whether it be due to caring responsibilities, disability, or simply a desire to rebalance work and life, should not mean the end of career progression. Women are being kept in lower-quality jobs due to old-fashioned workplace norms. 

“Women must be allowed to progress with the flexible working arrangements they require, and men must step up and take on their fair share of caring responsibilities and household tasks. Flexible work must be the norm for both men and women at work.

“A day-one right to request flexible working is simply not enough to create the deep cultural change that is needed. Right now, accessing flexible work is a matter of negotiation with your employer. Our report clearly shows that this is a process that favours men and bakes in existing inequality. Women shouldn't be penalised or disadvantaged because they need to work flexibly and they certainly shouldn't be locked out of roles they are qualified and keen to do. Too many women take on less-desirable and less well-paid roles so they can access flexibility and this contributes to the gender pay gap. Flexible work must be made the default for everyone. Employees need a better understanding of the different forms of flexible work open to them across all career paths and employers need to embrace the benefits this will bring to their organisation.”
 

Harriet Harman, Chair of the Fawcett Society, said: “The gender pay gap is closing far too slowly. At the current rate of change, women over 40 will suffer the pay gap until they retire. This is unfair and unjust, and it hurts everyone. A thriving economy relies on the full participation of women, and we are currently locking women out of work they are qualified for and capable of doing. 

“For too long, women have put up with less fair and less equal working arrangements in exchange for flexibility. We need urgent action to ensure women are allowed to work to their full level of skills and experience. making flexibility the norm will make it easier for women to get the flexibility they need, and also normalise men taking on their fair share of caring responsibilities. We cannot afford to wait.”

THE GENDER PAY GAP IN THE UK: EXPLAINED 

The gender pay gap is the difference between the hourly pay of women and men, as a proportion of men's pay. This year, Government data has indicated a mean gender pay gap of 10.7% for full-time workers, which means Equal Pay Day is on 22nd November 2023. 

Click here to download the full Fawcett Society report.


--relatedposts-postpage

Read more...

Empower Up, the online EDI platform celebrates its first-year anniversary.
Empower Up Celebrates A Year Of Providing EDI Advice & Resources

Teaser

Amiqus News

Content Type

News

18/11/2024

Summary

Empower Up, the online EDI platform from award-winning specialist games recruitment agency Amiqus and #RaiseTheGame – powered by Ukie, is celebrating its first-year anniversary. The

Teaser

Empower Up, the online EDI platform from award-winning specialist games recruitment agency Amiqus and #RaiseTheGame – powered by Ukie, is celebrating its first-year anniversary.

Read full article
Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

UK Businesses Launch 4-Day Workweek Trial with 1,000+ Employees
NEW 4-DAY WEEK TRIAL BEGINS

Teaser

Amiqus News

Content Type

News

07/11/2024

Summary

Some 17 UK businesses, encompassing over 1,000 staff, are taking part in the second four-day week pilot scheme from this week. The trial is once again being led by the 4 Day Week Campaign, whi

Teaser

Read full article
Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

HARINDER SANGHA PRESENTED WITH THE G INTO GAMING AWARD 2024
HARINDER SANGHA PRESENTED WITH THE G INTO GAMING AWARD 2024

Teaser

Amiqus News

Content Type

News

24/09/2024

Summary

We were delighted to present Harinder Sangha, Co-Founder & COO of Maverick Games with the G Into Gaming accolade at the recent Gamesindustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards. This awa

Teaser

Read full article
Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

Liz Prince, Amiqus CEO, at the MCV / Develop Awards
BEING A RECRUITER, AWARDS AND HUGE THANKS

Teaser

Amiqus News

Content Type

News

19/07/2024

Summary

I’m in a service profession, one that I’ve been proud to belong to for the past 30 years. For 19 years (so far) of that career, I’ve served the games industry alongside my colleagues at Amiqus

Teaser

Amiqus CEO Liz Prince reflects on the successes and difficulties during her career.

Read full article
Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

Develop:Brighton
AMIQUS @DEVELOP:BRIGHTON – WHAT’VE GOT IN STORE

Teaser

Amiqus News

Content Type

News

01/07/2024

Summary

Develop:Brighton is already upon us, and the Amiqus team is looking forward to once again meeting with friends and peers. We’re also delighted to be involved in the Conference programme – and

Teaser

Read full article
Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

Amiqus Wins Recruitment Agency Of The Year At  MCV/DEVELOP Awards
MCV/DEVELOP AWARDS – WITH THANKS FOR OUR ACCOLADE!

Teaser

Amiqus News

Content Type

News

01/07/2024

Summary

We are delighted, honoured and thankful to have been named Recruitment Agency of the Year at the recent MCV/DEVELOP Awards. The Amiqus team and friends gathered at the Lancaster Hot

Teaser

We are delighted, honoured and thankful to have been named Recruitment Agency of the Year at the recent MCV/DEVELOP Awards.

Read full article
Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

Attend Develop: Brighton With Blind Burners
Attend Develop: Brighton With Blind Burners

Teaser

Amiqus News

Content Type

News

25/06/2024

Summary

Our friends at Blind Burners are looking for active game devs to act as guides for their blind and low-vision delegates attending Develop: Brighton from the 9th to the 11th July, ideally helping

Teaser

Read full article
Artificial Intelligence
WHAT DOES THE GAMES INDUSTRY REALLY THINK ABOUT AI…?

Teaser

Blogs

Content Type

News

07/05/2024

Summary

Games studios have long been utilising AI, with the technology having revolutionised– positively – areas from NPC behaviour to game analytics. But what do game devs think about how AI may impact

Teaser

Read full article
Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

What Do Game Devs Want from Their Next Job?
THIS IS WHAT GAMES DEVS ARE LOOKING FOR IN A NEW JOB (AND IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK…)

Teaser

Amiqus News

Content Type

News

24/04/2024

Summary

We’ve just carried out a straw poll of games professionals on LinkedIn, asking them what the most important thing is that they look for when considering a new job role. Over 400 to

Teaser

An Amiqus straw poll reveals what games professionals ar looking for on their next job

Read full article
Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

International Women's Day 2024
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: TIME TO LOOK BEYOND THE TOKEN GESTURES

Teaser

Amiqus News

Content Type

News

05/03/2024

Summary

Teaser

International Women's Day - It's time for change not cake...

Read full article
Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

Liz Prince

by

Liz Prince

--relatedjobs-nosvg

Related Jobs

Senior UI / UX Artist - Figma, Mobile games

Salary

to £70k plus benefits

Location:

Remote (UK or Europe only)

Specialisms

UI Artist

UI / UX designer

Location

Europe

N.Ireland

Scotland

Wales

Job type

Contract

Fixed Term

Permanent

Salary

£50 - 60,000

£60 - 70,000

Description

Senior UI / UX Artist, to work on a mobile f2p live service football title. Figma, mobile games dev essential. Folio must show high quality, realistic UI assets. Remote (UK / Europe), salary to £70k

Reference

9183

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Simon Pittam

Author

Simon Pittam
Apply now
Senior Unity Developer

Salary

£55,000 - £70,000

Location:

London or Remote

Specialisms

Gameplay Programmer

Programmer

UI Programmer

Unity Programmer

Location

Remote working

London

Job type

Permanent

Salary

£50 - 60,000

£60 - 70,000

Description

This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a studio who are creating amazing games

Reference

9149

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Will  Hudson

Author

Will Hudson
Will  Hudson

Author

Will Hudson
Apply now
QA Tester

Salary

£24,000 - £27,000

Location:

Guildford (Hybrid)

Specialisms

QA Analyst

QA Tester

Location

South East

Job type

Permanent

Salary

£20 - 30,000

Description

This is a fantastic new opportunity to work with a team who are creating amazing games

Reference

9185

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Will  Hudson

Author

Will Hudson
Will  Hudson

Author

Will Hudson
Apply now
Business Development Manager

Salary

£45,000 - £55,000 + Bonus & Benefits

Location:

North-West UK or Remote UK

Specialisms

Business Development

Location

UK

Job type

Permanent

Salary

£40 - 50,000

£50 - 60,000

Description

Business Development Manager Remote UK or Hybrid Liverpool £50,000 + Bonus and Benefits

Reference

9193

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Alan Dixon

Author

Alan Dixon
Alan Dixon

Author

Alan Dixon
Apply now
Lead Technical Animator

Salary

Up to £106k

Location:

Warwickshire - Hybrid

Specialisms

Technical Animator

Lead Animator

Location

Midlands

Job type

Permanent

Salary

£80 - 90,000

£100,000+

Description

An exciting opportunity for a hands-on Lead Technical Animator to join an innovative new studio.

Reference

9182

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Chris Molleson Apply now
Head of Server Engineering

Salary

£85,000 + Bonus + Benefits

Location:

Leamington Spa, UK (Hybrid Onsite)

Specialisms

Programming

Location

UK

Job type

Permanent

Salary

£80 - 90,000

Description

Head of Server Engineering Leamington Spa £85,000

Reference

9178

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Alan Dixon

Author

Alan Dixon
Alan Dixon

Author

Alan Dixon
Apply now
Lead Cinematic Designer

Salary

£65,000 - £95,000 + Benefits

Location:

Warwick, Warwickshire - UK

Specialisms

Design

Location

UK

Job type

Permanent

Salary

£60 - 70,000

£70 - 80,000

£80 - 90,000

£90 - 100,000

Description

Lead Cinematics Designer Warwick, UK

Reference

9159

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Alan Dixon

Author

Alan Dixon
Alan Dixon

Author

Alan Dixon
Apply now
Junior Social Media & Community Manager

Salary

Up to £25k

Location:

Letchworth, UK

Location

London

South West

Job type

Permanent

Salary

£20 - 30,000

Description

An exciting opportunity for a social media and community manager with an interest in Asian games to join a global video games publisher.

Reference

9087

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Chris Molleson Apply now
UI Artist

Salary

Up to £30k

Location:

Remote UK

Specialisms

UI Artist

Location

UK

Job type

Fixed Term

Salary

£20 - 30,000

Description

An exciting opportunity for a UI Artist to join a well funded UK games development studio.

Reference

9102

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Chris Molleson Apply now
Senior Character Animator - Manchester Hybrid

Salary

Up-to £50k

Location:

Manchester

Specialisms

Character Animator

Location

North West

Job type

Permanent

Salary

£30 - 40,000

Description

An exciting opportunity for a sports enthusiast to work on a live service game as a Senior Character Animator.

Reference

9074

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Chris Molleson Apply now