New research coinciding with Ethnicity Pay Gap Day has revealed that over half of Black women are paid less than their White peers.
The research report, entitled The Impact of The Ethnicity Pay Gap on Black Women in the UK, highlighted that 52% of Black women lose out by as much as £10,000 per year due to wage inequality. The study also showed that nearly half of the women who had experienced an ethnicity pay gap did not seek redress out of a fear of reprisals. Of those who did, only a quarter had a successful outcome; with many others encountering delays and denial from employers acting as significant impediments when they questioned their salary.
The research, carried out by Ethnicity Pay Gap Campaign Founder Dianne Greyson, aimed to explore the lived experience of Black women in the UK workforce.
CASE FOR ETHNICITY PAY GAP REPORTING
The research, co-authored by Susan Baker, also revealed how the resulting resistance and hostility these women faced from their employers had a devastating impact on their physical and mental health. This also impacted retention. There was a notable trend of disillusioned women leaving their employment within six months; as a direct result of the discrimination they faced.
In fact, the majority of Black women (86%) said they were more likely to seek employment with companies that published data about pay disparity based on ethnicity; and had action plans to tackle it. This creates a business case for employers to make ethnicity pay gap reporting mandatory, noted the report.
“This report confirms the devastating effect that the Ethnicity Pay Gap has had on Black Women.” stated Greyson. “We know from previous research reports that other ethnic groups experience the same discriminatory practices. I hope this report will make employers take immediate action in addressing this issue.”
You can access The Impact of The Ethnicity Pay Gap on Black Women report and its recommendations here.
Ethnicity pay gap reporting is vital to tackle workplace discrimination; but it can’t be improved if we don’t measure it. Click here to read more.
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