Gender Pay Gap « Henkel Diversity Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Gender Pay Gap’

Women in Business

Today it’s Equal Pay Day in Germany / Heute ist Equal Pay Day in Deutschland

Friday, March 25th, 2011 by Astrid Bosten

These days women are skilled just as well as men are – and even better. However, women earn an average of a lower level than men do – even by having the same profession and qualification. In recent years the Gender Pay Gap in Germany was constantly at 23 percent which means that the average gross income per hour for women was 23 % lower than the gross income of men.

In order to hint at this income disparity in Germany the Business and Professional Women Germany e. V. (BPW) initiated the first Equal Pay Day in 2008.

Today it’s Equal Pay Day in Germany – on March 25, 2011.

This day of action takes place annually and marks the income disparity between the genders in Germany as the time period that women had to work more – exceeding the turn of the year – to reach the men’s salary of the preceding year.

However, isn’t that actually a comparison between apples and oranges? Research shows that about two thirds of the Gender Pay Gap can be referred to structurally different features of men and women which are relevant to the employment. The most important differences are those between the unequal filling of positions of male and female employees as well as the unequal choice of profession. Furthermore the high amount of female part-time employees must be taken into account.

In order to clarify the question why there is an income disparity in Germany and what is about to change frauTV, a German TV show, discussed this topic yesterday night March 24, 2011 at 10 p.m. at WDR television. [DE]

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Women in Business

Stop moaning find solutions / Lösungen statt Bedauern

Thursday, May 27th, 2010 by Astrid Bosten

Women and the pay gap, women in management positions, women and education – all of these are topics which are widely discussed in the media. But media presence did not solve the problem so far. Brand Eins calls for more research and real solutions to prevent economic crises like the current one in the future. A paradox seems to be that men, boards and consultants want women in management more than the women want it themselves. The magazine developed four theses why women haven’t made it to the top.

First of all, women often choose the wrong university programs. 60% of women choose educational or social programs.

The second problem is the „baby-break“. In many businesses this means the end of their career. The third thesis shows, that only one fifth of women are striving for a management position. They are more interested in content than in positions.

The fourth problem is, that women don’t have access to „old boys networks“. However, they started to build their own networks.

Brand Eins comes to the final conclusion, that it doesn’t need media presence, quotas or moaning to feminize leadership. The real need is the women who want it for themselves. What do you think? Are these theses right or wrong? Studying engineering, don’t become pregnant and be a little more progressive and that’s it? [DE]

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International Ambassadors

Report on equality between women and men 2010 / Bericht über die Gleichheit zwischen Männern und Frauen 2010

Friday, March 26th, 2010 by Astrid Bosten

Each year, the European Commission reports to the European Council on developments towards gender equality and challenges that emerged. This year’s report points out that there is a generally positive trend towards a gender-equal society.

However, differences in employment, pay, working-hours and management positions persist. As future challenges, the report identifies a synergy between gender equality and employment, the reconciliation between work and family, the promotion of social inclusion and gender equality as well as preventing gender-based violence. As a conclusion, the commission calls to the European Council and to all EU-Nations to respond to these challenge ans transform commitment into action and results. [DE]

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Best Practices, Diversity & Inclusion, International Ambassadors, Women in Business

Today it’s Equal Pay Day in Germany/ Heute ist Equal Pay Day in Deutschland

Friday, March 26th, 2010 by Astrid Bosten

This year Germany “celebrates” it’s Equal Pay Day on March 26. The gender pay gap stayed constantly by 23 percent. Each year the European Commission reports to the European Council on developments towards gender equality and challenges that emerged.

Henkel’s attitude towards gender equality payment is clear: The HR department ensures an equitable and non-discriminating payment for equal work. Additionally female employees are best supported to return from parental leave as fast as desired. [DE]

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