Those with HR jobs have been warned that UK businesses are nearly six decades away from equal pay between men and women, according to a new report.
The 2010 National Management Salary Survey by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) indicates that female management salaries have increased by 2.8 per cent over the past year, which compares favourably to the 2.3 per cent rise seen by men.
However, the typical UK salary for a male manager is £10,071 higher than that of their female counterparts, meaning that it will take 57 years before pay parity is reached.
The survey was conducted in what is the 40th year since the introduction of the 1970 Equal Pay Act, with data collected from almost 45,000 staff at 197 organisations indicating that men out-earn women in some management positions by as much as 24 per cent.
An inequality gap is present even at lower levels on the career ladder, with male junior executives typically receiving £1,065 more than their female equivalents. Women were found to have the worst deal regarding wages in the Midlands, where the pay gap was £10,434.
In the north-east it was the smallest, coming in at £8,995, the CMI's figures showed.
Petra Wilson, head of policy at the CMI called on the government to enforce greater pay equality in the jobs market, monitor organisations and name and shame those which fail to oblige.
However, she added: "It's not just the government that needs to act. Competitive businesses need to attract diverse workforces and appeal to the most talented employees.
"To do this, managers and employers need to recruit from a wide talent pool but they cannot expect to attract the UK’s best female talent if they continue to undervalue it.”
The CMI is a chartered professional body that represents the UK management and leadership sector and aims to promote high standards among professionals.
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