Chapter 3: Create fair employment and work for all

Creating 'fair employment for all' is essential for economic prosperity and wellbeing. Having diversity, inclusivity and equity within the workplace creates a positive culture and when everyone feels confident and empowered to contribute, businesses can thrive and grow.
(Indeed. (2022). How to create gender equality in the workplace in 10 steps.)

Unfortunately, gender inequality still occurs in many workplaces and is found to widen substantially after women have children.
(Miller C (2017). The gender pay gap is largely because of motherhood. The New York Times.)

However, this doesn't have to be the case. This issue can be solved by companies having shared parental leave policies and enabling and supporting working parents to share childcare more equally. Improving work-life balance benefits and flexible working policies improves opportunities. 

Insurance company Zurich saw a 116% increase in women applying for jobs after it became the first firm in the UK to advertise all its vacancies with the options of 'part-time', 'job-share' or 'flexible working'. It also saw a rise in applications from men.
(World Economic Forum UK (2020). Zurich added these six words to job adverts and more women applied.)

Here, we look at the impact gender has on employment, the impact of the family structure on employment, employment and gender pay and, barriers to employment for women.

Key findings (The Fawcett Society)

Everyone wants balance

68% of people think about whether a job is likely to allow them to balance work and family when considering career choices.

Dads need more support at work

35% of employed dads of under 18's say men in their workplace who take time off to care for children are not supported.

Length of leave

18% of employed dads of under 18's only took between one and five days off at the birth of their child.

Many struggle to balance work and care

32% of parents lie to their boss to take time off to spend with their children - 38% of dads lie.

This is likely to reinforce traditional gender roles around childcare. 

The majority of work around raising children remains the responsibility of mums. '9/10 childcare tasks are mostly the responsibility of my child's other parent rather than my responsibility'.

Old stereotypes about working parents persist

29% of people think men are more committed to their job after having a baby.

46% of people think women are less committed to their job after having a baby

People want equality

Nearly seven in 10 people believe that men who take time off work to look after a baby should be entitled to the same pay and amount as women.