Gender Pay Gap Laws 'more urgent than ever'

In recognition of International Women’s Day, it’s time for long-awaited laws on Ireland’s gender pay gap to be prioritised by the incoming government, as new figures reveal the slow pace of change in Irish workplaces on the issue.

Research carried out as part of the CIPD’s HR Practices in Ireland shows 50%  of workplaces believe they have no gender pay gap. However, just 33% say they’re actually calculating its extent. Members were also surveyed about a range of 9 ways in which they could act to address their GPG. 

This included increasing workplace flexibility, implementing career coaching and mentoring for women, and producing an annual report to monitor the GPG. It is a source for concern that 37% of those surveyed aren’t engaging in, or planning to engage in any of the 9 listed initiatives.

In the absence of a legal requirement, little is going to change, and we know the proposed gender pay gap legislation has been stalled since last year. The current pay imbalance can have no place in a fair and inclusive working culture. In recognition of International Women’s Day, the CIPD wants to see the introduction of these laws a top priority in any new programme for government.