Increase in Jersey's gender pay gap, report finds

The report included all public employees, both in ministerial departments and the wider public sector

The pay gap between men and women in Jersey has increased to 15%, a report has found.

The Government of Jersey has published the gender pay gap figures for 2022, which are up 2.6% from 2021.

The gender pay gap shows the difference between the average earnings of men and women, not the difference in earnings from doing the same job.

Chief Minister Deputy Kristina Moore said the government was committed to "delivering equal opportunities".

She said: "The information contained in the report provides us with evidence to continue and strengthen our existing efforts to further reduce the gap in line with the commitments in our People Strategy.

"We serve in a States Assembly with the largest female representation in Jersey's history.

"We will continue to drive forward our determined commitment for achieving equality throughout the public sector."

'Inherited issue'

The report included all public employees, both in ministerial departments and the wider public sector.

While there was an increase in the overall gender pay gap in 2022, some areas of disparity saw a significant reduction.

The government said this was a reflection of efforts made to address the gap, including:

• Revised family-friendly policies to increase the amount of paid time off for parents

• Flexible working guidelines

• Talent programmes including apprenticeship schemes

• Recruitment strategies

The government said the gender pay gap in Jersey was an "inherited issue".

It said: "The workforce covers multiple public sector organisations, some of which tend to attract one gender more than the other.

"This, along with the fact that it is more common for women to take a career break or reduce working hours to care for children and relatives, means the gender pay gap is an inherited issue.

"Nevertheless, the changes in employment policies and the government's Our Peopl' strategy are in place to help address the gender pay gap in the public service."