New calculator to help firms report gender pay gap

Gender pay gap reporting is voluntary in Jersey

A free gender pay gap reporting toolkit has been launched to help Jersey businesses understand and address pay disparities.

The Institute of Directors (IoD) Jersey, Mind the Gap Community, who advocate for gender parity, and human resources firm MyAnova have come together to provide the calculator for directors and businesses that employ more than 50 staff.

Gender pay gap reporting is voluntary on the island, but the Government of Jersey has endorsed the toolkit.

IoD Jersey chair Alex Ruddy said businesses had expressed fears of increased costs and resources associated with reporting their figures. "We are hopeful that, by providing a toolkit, we alleviate the perceived burden," she said.

The IoD said the benefits of promoting gender equality were being able to recruit from a wider pool of talent, a reduction in turnover, and increased productivity due to better employee motivation and wellbeing.

It added that businesses using the toolkit can be promoted on the Mind the Gap community's website.

Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham, said: "The toolkit will enable directors to take practical and visible action to improve gender equality in their workplace and drive progress.

"Jersey businesses rely on the skills and experience of the workforce, so it is important that we recognise and make full use of the talents across our community.

"The government supports the work of the IoD and Mind the Gap group to create a consistent methodology for reporting, and I am grateful for their contribution in this important area."

The toolkit has been published on the Jersey Business website.