The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

System
System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
edited June 8 in Student general
I know there have been a lot of new threads on here lately, but Marc has opened up a potentially interesting topic over on one of the other forums, mainly concerning the gender pay gap.

I've worked in manufacturing virtually all my working life, and have to say that in over twenty years, I've never seen it myself. The north-south pay divide yes, but never the male-female one.

So has anyone else witnessed it or actually experienced it themselves?

Robert
Β«1345

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?


    Difficult one. Yes it exists, but I'm lucky enough to have avoided it.

    It has been hard, but I think I'm getting a lot of respect (and financial benefit) for working in a male orientated industry.

    The old days of a man needing more salary because he supports a wife and family are gone - but it still lingers in some areas.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    I'm sure it still exists in a minority of employers Helen, but I'd like to think that most are enlightened nowadays. There are some employers who still adopt a Victorian workhouse ethic towards their workers or at least the government tells us by continually introducing new legislation.

    However, I'm not convinced the problem is as major as govenments and support groups tell us.

    And this is purely my opinion, but I believe that while we do have apologist governments that ceaselessly force feed us this new legislation for virtually non-existant problems, we will continue to see many of our core industries flee these shores to set up in far-off places where these attitudes really do exist a hundred times worse, however the payback is far less interference and restriction of trade while returning higher profits.

    Phew!

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?
    blobbyh wrote:
    However, I'm not convinced the problem is as major as governments and support groups tell us.

    Yes - definitely agree with you on that.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    You edited my spelling mistake in your quote! :lol:

    Seems no-one else has much of an opinion on this which is a shame...

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?


    I wondered it you'd notice!

    Yes, it is a shame - perhaps they're all busy comparing salaries first!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?
    Baggybooks wrote:
    blobbyh wrote:
    However, I'm not convinced the problem is as major as governments and support groups tell us.

    Yes - definitely agree with you on that.


    What are you basing this doubt on?
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?


    From my experience and from that of people I know.

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    In over twenty years of work experience, I've only ever seen and known salary based on ability, not on the type of underwear you've got on...

    I'm not saying it doesn't exist, just not on the scale that we're led to believe it does...

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    I know of people with many years of manufacturing experience, who are paid the same as graduate engineers, who are 30 years behind in practical ability and know how.

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?


    But that's age related - not gender.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    I know I was just picking up on Blobs ability comment, Im broadening the debate. :lol:
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    Oh and they were female graduates HA! :lol:
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?


    Worth every penny then!

    :wink:
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    :shock:

    :D:D:D:D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?
    Paul22 wrote:
    I know I was just picking up on Blobs ability comment, Im broadening the debate. :lol:

    Let me stir things a little, then!

    I hate it when politicians say that a certain number of women should be selected as prospective MPs.

    I want my MP to be elected on merit, not because of their gender, or because they are in some other so-called minority.

    :wink:
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    'A short while ago, our local fire service released a similar statement

    'to endeavour to recruit more ethnic minority candidates'

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?


    There's a joke in there somewhere!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    When I was still up in Birmingham, I got talking to one of my female co-workers - about 50 years old at the time - who reckoned that meddling governments with their anti-discrimination legislation have done as much to harm women's rights as to protect them. She based this on not being able to have double entendre banter in the office anymore, fear of sexual discrimination lawsuits which can often be hard for a company to contend, the hysteria over wage inequalities, the inconvenience caused to companies by maternity leave and the tensions that often naturally occur between males and females.

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?


    I think that most sensible women would agree!

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    I must admit, I am far from sexist, but I am also far from understanding how women work. I suppose they feel the same way about men. Maybe just one of those things your not meant to understand.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?
    Paul22 wrote:
    I must admit, I am far from sexist, but I am also far from understanding how women work. I suppose they feel the same way about men. Maybe just one of those things your not meant to understand.

    Work as in day job or work as in outplaying men?

    :wink:
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    She - the brummie - also reckoned that men and women have both lost their places in the work environment. While no-one advocates this "women should know their place" stereotype anymore, it applies equally to men too.

    A good article I read - written by Jane Moore - a few years ago, said that we should not try to merge male and female work roles together so that we all end up become confused and in disarry but rather to celebrate our differences and build upon them.

    Just don't quote this men being unable to multi-task rubbish to me! :lol:

    Oh, and you can't outplay men - we just let you think you've won for a quiet life! Or we just switch off!

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?
    blobbyh wrote:
    A good article I read - written by Jane Moore - a few years ago, said that we should not try to merge male and female work roles together so that we all end up become confused and in disarry but rather to celebrate our differences and build upon them.

    Oh, and you can't outplay men - we just let you think you've won for a quiet life! Or we just switch off!

    I think it's nice to be different.

    Outplay men? Robert you don't even know the game, let alone the rules!

    :wink:
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?
    blobbyh wrote:
    I've only ever seen and known salary based on ability, not on the type of underwear you've got on...

    That would mean I don't get paid.... :oops:

    Re: ethnic minority.... I still to this day think I was jibbed out of a place in the police force a few years back because they were promoting a drive to recruit more ethnic police officers... since then I am glad it didn't work out for me and as a sirm believer in 'everything happens for a reason' I gladly and happily reside in accounts :-)

    I have never come across the gender pay thingy, although I am only 22 so I doubt I will from now on.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    Hello all

    Thanks for your comments. It is interesting that you say that you've not come across the gender pay gap, and it makes an intriguing contrast to what is being stated by the government/equality groups. Perhaps it isn't as bad as some groups are suggesting.

    I was wondering whether any of you would like to comment on the topic for my article, or whether I could use some of your forum comments within the piece? Please contact me on marc.grainger@tenalpspublishing.com or 020 7878 2341.

    Regards

    Marc Grainger
    Assistant Editor, Accounting Technician
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    well im not sure whether or not this counts but when i was 16 working in a kitchen i was on £3.50 per hour until i threatened to leave. while the 2 guys i was working with were both on £5.50 and they were the same age and i worked harder than them (even my employers said so!) after i threatened to leave my wage was promised to be put up to match theirs but it was only put up to £4.50 and one of the people i worked with was an alcoholic who never did anything!
    As far as i know that is the closest i have come to having a pay gap as where i am now seems to be pretty fair on rates of pay etc and there doesnt seem to be any discrimination.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    I think it's very arguable whether to call that sexual discrimination or not Rae, since there may be several variants in that situation such as the minimum wage in force for your age at the time, the possible casual nature of the job - especially if paid cash in hand, experience and length of service, nature of duties - you must be doing the same job - merely similar doesn't count - and overall worth to the employer.

    The minimum wage even today for 16 and 17 year olds is still only £3.30.

    It's all too easy to call things discrimination when they aren't. And it is very aggravating when you feel you work harder than others, however it can rarely be taken it into account no matter how unfair!

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    i had even been working there a yr longer than one of the others!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?

    I would have 'cooked-up' a storm! :lol: ROFL
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:The gender pay gap - does it really exist?
    MarcGrainger wrote:
    Hello all

    Thanks for your comments. It is interesting that you say that you've not come across the gender pay gap, and it makes an intriguing contrast to what is being stated by the government/equality groups. Perhaps it isn't as bad as some groups are suggesting.

    I was wondering whether any of you would like to comment on the topic for my article, or whether I could use some of your forum comments within the piece? Please contact me on marc.grainger@tenalpspublishing.com or 020 7878 2341.

    Regards

    Marc Grainger
    Assistant Editor, Accounting Technician

    Surely we have something more constructive to say and contribute on this topic?

    Are we really fortunate enough to work in one of the few careers that doesn't have a gender bias?

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