Gender pay figures announced

The release of gender pay figures has highlighted that women employees at Wyre Forest District Council earn on average around 10% more than male employees.

Government rules require all public sector employers to publish an annual snapshot of their workforce’s earnings to highlight any disparity in pay between the average earnings of male and female staff.

Figures from Wyre Forest District Council based on a snapshot of the workforce on 31 March 2018 reveal the workforce as a whole on that date was made up of 53% women and 47% men. This compares with 52% women and 48% on the same date the previous year.

The make-up of the senior corporate leadership remains the same as last year, 60% women and 40% men as does the gender breakdown of the top 20 senior service managers which is 71% women and 29% men.

The figures for employees in the lower quartile flip to 71% men and 29% female due to the largely male make up of the frontline workforce.

Depending on how the average income is calculated (mean versus median), the figures show female employees earn between 9 and 14% more than the average male worker.

Cabinet Member for Resources Councillor Nathan Desmond, who is responsible for equality and diversity at Wyre Forest District Council, said: “Once again our figures underline our commitment to foster talent and with a high proportion of senior positions filled by women we continue to provide a positive role model for other local employers.

“The gender pay gap has nothing to do with equal pay. The council has ensured for many years that jobs of equal weight and value receive the same rate of pay.

“We will continue to offer equal opportunity for all employees, irrespective of their gender, so we can continue to offer the best services to residents, businesses and visitors.”