Pearson UK reports 21% mean gender pay gap

In the UK, Pearson has reported an overall median gender pay gap of 15% in 2017, and a mean gap of 21%, reports the Bookseller.

Pearson’s median gender pay gap of 15% and mean gap of 21% compares to national averages of 18.4% for median earnings and 17.4% for mean earnings for full- and part-time workers, according to data collected by the Office for National Statistics last April.

Pearson said that analysis of the data showed that the gender pay gap at Pearson in the UK is ‘primarily as a result of having fewer women in senior-level roles’. The company said the data is helping it understand ‘the scale of the challenge’, and it is ‘working hard to narrow the gap’. Pearson has also made a voluntary commitment to extend gender pay reporting globally by 2020.

In terms of bonuses, Pearson reported that the median gender bonus gap for its businesses in Great Britain was 18%, while the mean was 52%. The company said this was because there were ‘fewer women in senior bonus-eligible roles during this time period’.

‘As we began our analysis in preparation for our own report, we realised that, as part of our commitment to reducing inequality, we could be doing more,’ said Pearson chief human resources officer Anna Vikström Persson. ‘The report results help illustrate where we see challenges. We must improve diversity and inclusion across our businesses.’

Pearson delivered its gender pay gap report ahead of new government regulations in the UK that require companies with 250 or more employees to annually report the median and mean percentage difference in hourly pay and average pay between men and women, as well as the difference in bonus awards.

As previously reported by Books+Publishing, the British Library recently revealed a mean gender pay gap of 6.2%.

For Pearson’s full report, click here.

Category: International news