Tough economic climate widens gender pay-gap

They are willing to take the low wages because they would rather do that than have nothing.

Dr Audrey Jarvis High unemployment and tough economic times are contributing to a widening gender pay-gap, a women's advocate group says.

According to the Quarterly Employment Survey, men earned an average hourly rate of $29.20 during the September quarter - compared to the $25.06 earned by women.

The $4 difference translates to a 1.3 per cent jump in the gender pay-gap since the last September quarter, from 12.85 per cent to 14.18 per cent.

National Council of Women of New Zealand Manawatu branch president Audrey Jarvis said women often had no choice when it came to employment. "When there is such a high rate of unemployment, women do suffer because they're often the ones who are unable to get the jobs.

"They are willing to take the low wages because they would rather do that than have nothing," Dr Jarvis said.

University of Canterbury Professor Lucy Johnston said outdated stereotypes of women in business often made things worse in the workplace.

"Role models and encouragement are essential for young women, and we must make every effort to promote and endorse successful women, and we must ensure that to become successful, women do need to become 'like men'," she stated.

University research indicated women were often outdone by men when competing for jobs typically filled by males, despite having the same level of experience and qualifications.

It also found women were more likely to be successful in such job applications if they dressed and talked in a more masculine way, Prof Johnston said.

Earlier this year, it was also revealed that female accountants were paid, on average, 26 per cent less than their male counterparts, according to the annual New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants survey.

The New Zealand Federation of Business and Professional Women labelled the pay gap figures "legalised theft".

Closing the gender pay-gap would help all New Zealanders. "Equal pay for work of equal value should be rewarded on the same financial basis which in turn would result in more buying power for women and their families," president Carolyn Savage said.

According to the quarterly survey rates, women would need to work until February 21 next year to earn the same as their male counterparts did by the end of 2012, she said.

Employers' and Manufacturers' Association spokesman Gilbert Peterson had the view that a way for business to improve their productivity is to have more diversity in their workplace. "As far as we're concerned, women are under-utilised in our businesses and that's reflected in the pay gap," Mr Peterson said adding that "It's an opportunity that's going begging."

Equal Employment Opportunities Trust general manager Bev Cassidy-Mackenzie said businesses needed to implement systems to ensure discrimination against women and other such groups did not occur.

Bringing in external recruitment specialists could help overcome the male bias and allow more women to gain employment and move into senior business roles. - APNZ