​In 2022, we explored the fast-moving topic of female employment in the UK. Whilst it has only been 2 years, there have been some notable changes for women in the workplace. Whilst there have been clear advancements and welcome changes, there are still significant challenges faced by females at work.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the employment rate for men aged between 16 and 64 in the United Kingdom was 78.1%, while for women, it stood at 72.1%. Although the gender gap persists, it has considerably narrowed since the early 1970s, when the male employment rate was 92.1%, and the female employment rate was 52.8% (Source: Statistica).

Over the years, legislative efforts such as the Equality Act 2010 have aimed to foster gender equality in the workplace. Recent additions to employment law, such as the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023, have sought to address evolving workforce needs by enhancing rights to flexible working arrangements. Similarly, the Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Act 2023 and the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 provide very much-needed safeguards for new parents and employees against sexual harassment.

Despite the welcome progress, the gender pay gap remains a significant challenge. According to the TUC, the current gap stands at 14.3%, with projections suggesting it may take at least another 20 years to close fully. The disparity not only affects women's earning potential throughout their careers but also widens during motherhood, contributing to a stark pension gap of 40.5%. Alarmingly, research from the Young Women’s Trust reveals that young women start their careers earning a fifth less than men of the same age.

However, there are some positive developments on the horizon. From 6 April 2024, pregnant employees and those returning from maternity, adoption, or shared parental leave will gain priority status for redeployment opportunities in a redundancy situation, under the Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave Act 2023) underscoring a welcome step towards supporting working mothers and new parents in the workforce.

In 2010, 63% of mothers were actively working, a figure that increased to 71% in 2021 and further to 73% in 2022 (GOV.UK). There has been a notable shift in working patterns among mothers, with an increase in those working full-time and a decrease in part-time employment, perhaps thanks to further developments in flexible working patterns.

Looking Ahead...

Looking ahead, there are still challenges to be faced, as changes in the State Pension age could have significant implications, particularly for women. With the pension age set to rise to 67 between 2026-2028, and possibly further to 71 for those born after April 1970, women may find themselves working longer before claiming their pensions. The Guardian highlights how this shift reflects the broader demographic changes and challenges posed by increasing life expectancy, so it may be sometime before those early in their careers have a firm idea of when they could expect to receive their state pension.

While progress has been made in narrowing the gender employment gap and improving workplace protections for women, there is still work to be done. As we mark International Women's Day, it's crucial to reflect on the strides made and advocate for further changes to ensure equality in the workplace. From closing the gender pay gap to enhancing support for working mothers and addressing pension age disparities, there are still a number of areas where focused efforts can drive positive change.

Working With Forward Role

If you're interested in learning more about the evolving landscape of female employment in the UK or seeking opportunities to support diversity and inclusion in your organisation, stay tuned for more insights from Forward Role this week. Get in touch for a chat about how we can support your business with FR Represent - our inclusive recruitment approach that provides equality of opportunity for everyone!

If you're looking for a new Marketing, Digital or Technology role, check out our latest jobs here!

​