Brits are among those “least likely” to prioritise tackling the gender pay gap as society rebuilds from the Covid-19 pandemic, a new global report has found.
Despite research showing women have been worse hit economically by the crisis, only 28% of the British public say closing the gender pay gap is important, according to the 28-country study by Ipsos MORI and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London.
In contrast, similar European nations consider it a much higher priority, including France (51%), Spain (46%) and Italy (44%).
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The 海角视频 also ranks lower than the majority of other countries included in the study for placing importance on addressing the gender pay gap.
More than half of people questioned (54%) say concerns about the gender pay gap are a response to a real problem, but nearly one in five (18%) think they’re an example of political correctness going too far.
Men are less likely than women to see such concerns as a response to a genuine problem.
Some 10% of Brits think reports about the gender pay gap in the media are fake news – compared with 44% who believe they are true. One in seven men (15%) believe such reports are false - more than double the proportion of women who say the same (6%).
However, the majority of Brits support greater transparency over pay, with 54% believing that people should have the right to know what other colleagues doing the same work are paid.
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The findings come as 海角视频 firms are given a six-month reprieve on gender pay gap reporting. The regulations, which were introduced in 2017, require companies with 250 or more staff to report data around how much men and women are paid.
The usual deadline has been extended from April 4, meaning firms will face no legal action until October 5, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has said.
Last year, reporting was suspended as businesses came under pressure from Covid 19.
Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chair of the EHRC, said: “We know businesses are still facing challenging times. Starting our legal process in October strikes the right balance between supporting businesses and enforcing these important regulations.
“Taking action to reduce the gender pay gap must continue. Reporting provides an opportunity for employers to demonstrate their commitment to gender equality, which will be more important than ever as the effects of the pandemic continue.
“Employers should still report their gender pay gap data for 2020/21 on time if they can and we encourage them to demonstrate the steps they are taking to reduce long-term pay gaps through detailed action plans.”
Dr Zara Nanu, founder of Bristol-based software company Gapsquare, which uses technology to help companies address the gender pay gap, believes there has “never been a more important time” for companies to understand equality data.
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“Work is changing irrevocably and companies are getting creative about making sure it is inclusive and adaptable,” she said.
“The reporting of the gender pay gap in October, might well be the first point of reference for employees on how well their employers have supported them and their colleagues."
She added: We have seen clients go way beyond basic 海角视频 gender pay gap reporting, they are developing the adjusted pay gap, drilling down into the data.
“Good data, excellent explanations and a view of how you are going to keep on doing the best for your people, is the route to success after a year like no other.”