Member Article

Local organisations closing the gender gap

Five organisations in the North East have been recognised for their efforts to reduce the gender pay gap and promote better work-life balance throughout the workplace. Minister for Women, Ruth Kelly, announced that the organisations are amongst those who have signed up to the Exemplar Employer scheme. The scheme requires organisations to give a clear commitment to reducing the gender pay gap through projects ranging from encouraging women to find out about and enter into jobs traditionally done mostly by men, to creating better quality opportunities for staff working part time.

Among the first wave of organisations signed up for this status are Cleveland Fire Brigade, Northern Rock, One NorthEast, Regional Enterprise Developers, and the University of Sunderland.

Ruth Kelly said: “Just because a woman trades down her hours does not mean she should trade down her status. The best employers understand the hard headed business reasons for extending quality flexible and part-time roles for women. As take up for the Exemplar Employer scheme proves, there is a huge appetite for change. “This initiative provides industry with a wealth of information on what really works at a grassroots level. Tackling this issue means giving employers workable solutions for making the most of their female talent.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .