IFS report: Part-time work is playing a major role in the gender pay gap

The latest report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has highlighted the prevalence of part-time working among women, and particularly mothers, as contributing significantly to the gender pay gap, which although down from 30 per cent from the early 90s still stands at around 20 per cent.
According to the IFS, the average pay gap between men and women is about eight per cent before children are born. This gap however widens to approximately 30 per cent by the time the eldest child is 20 years old. Over this period, mothers on average spend 10 fewer years in full-time work than fathers, and seven more years in part-time work. Individuals in regular paid work often see their pay rise year on year while, as demonstrated by the IFS’s research, part-time workers are missing out on this wage progression.
Although the gender pay gap reporting obligations introduced this year are a step in the right direction, this report highlights that much work is still needed if the gap is to be closed.
For those employers who have yet to publish their gender pay gap report, the deadline of 4 April is fast approaching. Please contact a member of the Dentons team if you require any advice on your reporting obligations.