Despite new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing a 14% rise in the number of women with jobs over the past 40 years, feminist group the Fawcett Society says that other findings in the data prove that opportunities for female workers are still unsatisfactory. As such, it has called on the government to develop a dedicated women’s employment strategy.
In April to June 2013, around 67% of women aged 16 to 64 were in work – a substantial increase from the 53% female employment rate for 16-to-64 year olds in 1971. However, the statistics also showed that men still dominated the professional and managerial positions associated with higher pay, whereas more women tend to be found in lower-salaried, caring and administrative roles. That trend has seemingly been translated into the new generation of workers, with just 49% of female graduates aged 22 or above finding employment in highly-skilled jobs, compared 53% of their male counterparts.
Furthermore, women make up two thirds of those on the minimum wage in the UK, at a time when many families are struggling with personal debts and rising living costs.
The Fawcett Society – which campaigns for equality at home, at work and in public life – says that a scheme focused on opening up career opportunities for women would be important in bringing about greater fairness in the workplace, which in itself would benefit the British economy. The group said that any such programme would need to “include greater efforts to ensure progressive working practises are the norm, not the exception; more work to challenge persistent occupational segregation that sees some industries virtually female-free zones; and of course a serious and credible action plan for stamping out the scandal that is unequal pay once and for all.”
According to the ONS employment data, until the age of 22 the percentage of men and women in work was broadly similar. But above this age, men consistently had a higher employment rate. Fawcett Society policy and campaigns manager Daisy Sands said: “While highlighting the strides women have made in the workforce over the last 50 years, [the ONS] report serves as a timely reminder of how far we have to go before we have a women-friendly labour market.”
Sands added: “The analysis shows a consistently higher employment rate for men than women. Sadly, a great deal of this difference can be attributed to our old-fashioned working practices, where combining paid work with other responsibilities is nigh on impossible. Women in the UK still tend to do the lion’s share of childcare. Add to this the lack of flexible working opportunities and prohibitively expensive childcare, and we face a situation where, for women, work all too often doesn’t pay.”
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