The difference between the income of men and women is regarded as equality’s final frontier, a problem that must be conquered rapidly.
Women can encounter prejudice throughout employment because they may fall pregnant and not be able to complete the same amount of work as their male colleagues.
Similarly, men may not be considered for roles in certain industries, such as teaching or nursing, as some think of them as feminine jobs and that men could be too intimidating for these roles.
But some feel the gender pay gap is not as big as deal as others make out, so we asked the people of Wimbledon if it was a potent problem in today’s society.
YES – 52% NO – 48%
The result was much loser than expected and it became clear that this issue was more prevalent in some sectors than others.
Tom Gooday, 32, who has a career in the gambling industry, recognised the problem and said it’s most prevalent in his place of work.
He stressed that women are not only are paid less but are likely to work twice as hard for it.
IT’S AN ISSUE: Tom Gooday has seen pay differences in the gambling industry
Another factor thought to heavily contribute to the gender pay gap is maternity leave, and the issues it causes for business owners.
Lindsy Gavin, 35, a nursery nurse, stated the reason for the difference in pay was because women have children and then gave a personal example.
She said her uncle, who works in the fire department, noticed women were being prevented from getting to the higher roles due to the potential risks involved with pregnancy, an example that could promote the stereotype that women are incapable of achieving in male-dominated occupations.
However, figures compiled by the Press Association have shown that between the ages of 22 and 29, a woman will typically earn £1,111 more per year than her male counterparts.
And not all women succumb to the stereotypes, after all the prime minister and the head of the Met Police are women, suggesting the problem is not on the same scale it once was.
Gavin Cochrane, 37, made his view clear that there is no difference in the retail industry he has worked in for many years regarding the difference in pay between genders.
Robert Burton, like many others questioned, admitted he does not really follow the matter and claimed there isn’t much to it.
That response and the close result to our poll suggests why change in some sectors is not happening at a rate many would desire.
