Are you aware that nearly three-quarters of Australian employers have a gender pay gap that favors men?
According to the latest data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, women in Australia earn an average of $28,425 less than men per year.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
The statistics are alarming: 72.2% of employers have a pay gap that favors men, while only 6.5% have a pay gap that favors women.
The average woman in Australia earns just 78 cents for every dollar earned by a man.
This is not just a matter of paying men and women differently for the same job, but rather a reflection of deeper cultural issues, such as men holding more senior roles and women being expected to take on caring responsibilities.
Industries with the Biggest Pay Gaps
Some industries have significantly larger pay gaps than others. Mining, airlines, and financial services top the list, with pay gaps of 19.8%, 53.9%, and 22.2%, respectively.
Even well-known companies like the Brisbane Broncos Rugby League Club, Forever New Clothing, and Morgan Stanley Australia have significant pay gaps in favor of men.
The Good News: Attitudes are Changing
While the numbers are still concerning, there is evidence that attitudes are shifting.
Many companies are taking steps to address the gender pay gap, such as introducing new parental leave policies and conducting pay gap analyses.
David Kelertas, a manager at TelstraSuper, took five months of parental leave to care for his son and believes that attitudes towards men taking leave are changing.
What Can Be Done?
To bridge the gender pay gap, companies need to address the underlying cultural issues that perpetuate inequality.
This includes challenging gender stereotypes, providing equal opportunities for advancement, and supporting employees with caring responsibilities.
As Mary Wooldridge, CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, said, “We are tackling some deep-seated cultural views and perspectives, including things like gender stereotypes in relation to roles and occupations.”