Expert cites 'disheartening' results as people grapple with financial difficulties
The disparity on salary increases between Australian men and women continued this year, according to a new report.
A survey from ADP revealed that pay rises for women in the past 12 months averaged 4.4%, lower than the 5.7% recorded for men.
"Despite the ongoing discussions regarding the gender pay gap, this data demonstrates that the disparity continues," said Kylie Baullo, Managing Director ANZ at ADP, in a statement.
And this disparity won't likely go away soon, as the survey also found that women are only expecting a 5.2% salary increase in the next 12 months, while men are expecting a higher 6.3%.
Baullo said the situation is worrisome given the current economic challenges in Australia.
"People are grappling with genuine financial difficulties including in utility prices and interest rates, and it is disheartening that women are not being paid in a way that enables them to contribute equally to household expenses," she said as quoted by Mirage News.
Equal Pay Day
The survey came as Australia's gender pay gap recently hit a record-low 13%, where women only make 87 cents for every dollar a man earns.
On August 25, the country marked its Equal Pay Day 2023, or the 56 days into the financial year that women must work to earn the same on average as men did the previous year.
Baullo said the day is an "opportunity" for employers to assess inconsistencies and inequalities in employee pay.
"In doing so, employers can create a more equitable work environment, enhance staff morale and engagement, retain talent, and ultimately drive organisational success," she said.
Publishing gender pay gaps
In Australia, employers with over a hundred employees will be required starting 2024 to publish their gender pay gaps as part of the government's measures to close the disparity.
The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), which will publish the gender pay gap, encouraged employers to also conduct an analysis on the disparity and understand what's driving the difference.
"When it comes to the gender pay gap, you cannot fix what isn't being measured," said WGEA CEO Mary Wooldridge in a statement. "Publishing gender pay gaps is part of a much-needed, targeted strategy to tackle gender inequality through increased transparency and action."
