A recent study conducted by personal injury experts at Claims.co.uk has shed light on the stark reality of gender pay disparities across various occupations in the United Kingdom.
The study, which examined data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), pinpointed occupations where the gap between male and female hourly earnings is most pronounced.
Topping the list are barristers and judges, with the largest gender pay gap observed among all occupations analysed. Female barristers and judges earn a staggering £8.31 less per hour than their male counterparts, representing a significant 29.1 percent pay gap.
Financial managers and directors closely follow, with women in these roles earning approximately £11.56 less per hour compared to men, equating to a substantial 28.8 percent pay gap.
The analysis delved into various sectors, uncovering disparities in fields such as web design, production supervision, vehicle assembly, and technical trades. Web design professionals, for instance, experience a gender pay gap of 27.7 percent, with women earning £6.32 less per hour than men.
Further down the ranking, production, factory, and assembly supervisors witness a pay gap of 26 percent, followed by assemblers of vehicles and metal goods at 23.5 percent. Even in traditionally male-dominated industries like vehicle maintenance and construction, the gender pay gap persists, with female technicians, mechanics, electricians, and construction managers facing substantial disparities in earnings.
Disparities are not industry-specific
The study underscores the pervasive nature of gender pay gaps across a wide array of professions, challenging the notion that such disparities are confined to specific sectors. Education managers, nursery education professionals, and journalists also feature prominently among the occupations with significant pay differentials based on gender.
A spokesperson for Claims.co.uk commented on the findings, expressing concern over the persistence of gender pay gaps across various industries. They highlighted the need for increased awareness and action to address these disparities, particularly in roles traditionally dominated by one gender.
The study’s methodology involved analysing data from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), focusing on specific occupations rather than broader categories to ensure a comprehensive ranking of gender pay gaps. The results provide valuable insights into the ongoing challenges faced by women in the workforce and underscore the importance of continued efforts to achieve gender equality in pay.
As discussions surrounding gender pay disparities gain momentum, stakeholders are urged to prioritise pay equity initiatives and enact meaningful change to create fairer and more inclusive workplaces for all.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
