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08 Apr 2022
by Elizabeth Howlett

Top 10 stories from this week: Gender pay gap reporting lags behind

The gender pay gap reports for 2022 are in and lacking in entries, as “hundreds” (612 to be exact) of organisations missed the deadline.  Admittedly, the number of non-reports isn’t devastatingly low, but this data acts as an important benchmarking tool. The need to report goes far beyond legal compliance, the Office for National Statistics’ estimate showed the gap had increased from 14.9% in 2020 to 15.4% in 2021. 

The seriousness of the 600-odd no shows in 2022’s round of reports is put into sharper focus when viewed alongside recent YouGov data, which found men are more successful at obtaining a pay rise than women. Figures released by The Guardian revealed that the survey of 16,000 adults found that over two fifths (43%) of men asked for a pay rise, compared with a third (33%) of women and that 31% of men were successful, while only 21% of women were able to bag a raise. 

Furthermore, Jemima Olchawski, the chief executive of the Fawcett Society, told The Guardian that detailed academic research “disputes” the idea that women are less likely to ask for a pay rise, adding that “they ask at a similar rate [to men], but typically get slightly less”. 

Reward and benefits professionals seeking benchmarking and practical advice can read  with Sasha Brenner, senior reward and benefits manager Unibail Rodamco Westfield (URW), who discusses how it is closing the gap with long-term sustainable change. 

For more reward and employee benefits news you might have missed this week, read our top 10 snippets below.

Hundreds left to report as 2022 gender pay gap deadline passes

Personnel Today: At the time of publication, 9,952 employers had published their gender pay gaps for the 2021-22 reporting year on the government’s gender pay gap reporting service, down from 10,564 that reported the previous year. Read more

Minimum wage increase ‘not enough’ to counter cost of living crisis, experts warn

People Management: Today’s (1 April) increase in the minimum wage does not go far enough to help employees through the current cost of living crisis, experts have warned.

All minimum wage workers will see their pay rise from today, with the national living wage – the statutory minimum wage for those aged 23 and over – increasing 6.6 per cent to £9.50 an hour, up from £8.91. Read more

67% of employees demand that we become more sustainable according to new study

HR News: If the covid pandemic has told businesses anything it’s to be prepared for change. Research conducted by BusinessWaste.co.uk has discovered that over two thirds (67%) of employees demand that we become more sustainable. Read more

Flexible working could unlock jobs for 1.3 million more people

Personnel Today: Greater flexible working could open up employment opportunities for 1.3 million people in the UK who have caring responsibilities, disabilities and those living in rural areas, according to a study. Read more

Attendance bonuses actually increase employee absence, claims new research

Workplace Insight: Offering employees a monetary bonus for good attendance actually has the opposite desired effect, increasing employee absence, finds new research from Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. Read more

28% of UK office staff are considering quitting due to pay

Employee Benefits: More than half (53%) of UK office workers say they are considering leaving their job, according to a survey from Virgin Media O2 Business, with 28% citing pay as a reason to quit. Read more

Hybrid working burnout is inevitable, say third of workers

Workplace Insight: Over one in three (36 percent) UK workers believe burnout is an inevitable part of their career, according to new data based on 2,000 UK knowledge workers. The figure, which rises to 41 percent of managers was noted by UK workers as a natural part of career progression by those who had experienced it. Read more

DWP reveals ‘catalogue of blunders’ on state pensions

Corporate Advisor: The Department of Work & Pensions have revealed it is working to correct a series of state pension errors, the majority of which it has not publicy revealed before.

The problems came to light after a Freedom of Information request made by LCP partner, and former pensions minister Steve Webb. Read more

3,000 UK staff to join 'world's largest' four-day week trial

HR Grapevine: Thousands of UK workers are set to join an ongoing four-day work week trial, which organisers say could well be the largest scheme of its kind anywhere in the world.

As reported by The Guardian, more than 3,000 workers at 60 companies across Britain will trial a four-day working week, in what is thought to be the biggest pilot scheme to take place anywhere in the world. Read more

Britain prepares for ‘The Great Return’ as an estimated 1.5 million workers plan to ‘boomerang’ back to a previous employer

HR News: Latest research from leading employee benefits provider Unum UK finds that 1 in 5 (19%) UK workers have returned to a previous employer within the past 5 years or plan to in the near future, in what’s being dubbed as the ‘boomerang’ employee phenomenon. Read more

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