Pay equity

30 January 2014

Equal Pay Day draws attention to the pay disparity between men and women. We list some resources to help you ensure this is not a problem in your practice.

The statistics in architecture don’t provide a clear picture, but both anecdote and research suggests that the issues in architecture are similar to those in other industries, and affect practices of all sizes and types.

So what can you do? The following links provide tips and suggestions on how to identify any issues within your own business and what might be done to begin to address them.

“The cost of being female? 64 extra days at work”

This useful article on Women’s Agenda outlines what the pay gap is and why it matters. A series of helpful tips and links on what employers can do about the gap is included at the end of the article.

WGEA Fact Sheet

This factsheet from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) outlines four steps: understand the issues, conduct a gender pay gap analysis, improve accountability, and review human resources policies and procedures. The WGEA has a range of excellent resources, including a payroll analysis tool, which can be used by businesses and organisations of all sizes.

Fair Work Ombudsman Best Practice Guide – Gender Pay Equity

The FWO Best Practice Guide outlines the issues, employer’s obligations and best practice initiatives and strategies.

The Fair Work Commission has also recently established a Pay Equity Unit and is currently undertaking research into the gap.