The Gender Pay Gap: Why It Still Matters in 2025

Two people start the same job on the same day with the same qualifications one a man, one a woman. Yet by year’s end, the woman will likely have earned less.

This isn’t a story from the past. It’s reality for millions today.

Pay Inequality: Still Widespread, Still Costly

In 2024, women in the UK earned around 85p for every £1 earned by men. Even when qualifications, experience, and performance are equal, women are often paid less particularly women of colour.

This pay gap isn’t just unfair. It limits women's financial independence, reduces lifetime earnings, and contributes to higher poverty rates in retirement.

Workplace: A Standout Success in Gender Pay Equality

Some businesses are flipping the script and Workplace is a shining example. Their latest report shows:

✅ 0.0% median pay gap men and women earn the same for similar roles.

✅ 6.5% mean gap in favour of women thanks to more women in senior roles

✅ 69.2% of top paying jobs held by women a rare and impressive statistic.

✅ Bonus equity more women receiving bonuses, with a mean bonus gap of -22.0%. Read our full Gender Pay Gap Report here  As Amber Jones, Head of People at Workplace, puts it:

“This didn’t happen overnight. It took consistent action and leadership commitment. Seeing women thrive and earn fairly shows we’re creating a workplace where talent not gender drives success.”

Why the Gap Exists: The Root Causes

👩‍⚕️ Occupational Segregation Women are more likely to work in lower-paid sectors like care, education, and admin essential but historically undervalued jobs.

👶 Unpaid Caring Responsibilities Childcare, eldercare, and career breaks disproportionately fall on women, reducing their earning potential and promotion chances.

⚖️ Workplace Bias From assumptions about commitment to overlooked promotions, unconscious bias continues to hold women back

The Ripple Effect: More Than Just Lost Wages

💷 A lifetime of lower earning

s🏠 Less financial independence

👵 Higher pension gaps and elderly poverty

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Reduced household security

This isn’t just a “women’s issue” it affects families, businesses, and the wider economy.

What Forward-Thinking Companies Do Differently

• Monitor Pay Data Regular audits help spot and fix disparities early.

• Review Bonus & Promotion Processes Removing bias from criteria ensures fairness.

• Support Women into Leadership Career pathways, mentoring, and flexibility make a huge difference.

• Be Transparent Publishing pay gap data builds trust and accountability.

How We Can All Close the Gap

🏢 Employers: Be proactive. Audit pay, support flexibility, and promote fairly.

🏛️ Government: Enforce existing laws, invest in childcare, and strengthen pay transparency rules.

👥 Individuals: Negotiate, support colleagues, and speak up for fairness.

Let’s Level the Playing Field

At Workplace, we believe fair pay is good for people, business, and society. When women thrive, everyone benefits.

Want to learn how to build a more equitable, inclusive workplace?

📞 Contact our team today Let’s close the gap, together.