It's hard to believe that doubts still exist over whether the Gender Pay Gap reporting requirements will be re-instated in 2021. Whilst there was an understandable rationale for suspending this during the pandemic, there's no excuse moving forward. To make matters worse, the mixed messages coming from the government are not helping. Only last week, Gillian Keegan MP reportedly indicated in a BBC news report that enforcement of the reporting requirement this year is unlikely. 

Let's remind ourselves why this issue is at the very top of the urgent and important list. During the first lockdown, the Fawcett Society indicated that the pandemic and subsequent economic fallout could delay the gender pay gap being closed by 30 years. That's 30 years too long because every day we don't move to bridge the gap is a day where more women suffer in terms of their wellbeing and mental health. We know that security is one of the most fundamental needs of emotional wellbeing and the gender pay gap contributes to an extraordinary level of insecurity. It also impacts status and self-esteem, two more fundamental pillars that allow women to feel well. Since the pay gap often sets the stage for women temporarily or permanently leaving work, it results in a significant loss of women's contributions. The impact this has on other women in the workplace is very significant. 

It's all well and good Suki you telling us these things, but what's the answer? I'm glad you asked that question because if you're an employer that cares about this issue, you'll report your gender pay gap as soon as you've finished reading this article. But there's more you can do to put this problem at the very heart of your organisation's strategy. Encourage men to work flexibly so that it isn't seen as a female-only benefit. Offer all jobs you have as having flexible working options and finally, encourage and promote the uptake of shared parental leave.

As part of the group @WACL We're not waiting until International Women's Day to say we #ChooseToChallenge the UK government: we are asking them to reinstate the Gender Pay Gap reporting now. Plse support us by signing the petition, details in the box below. https://wacl.info/gender-pay-gap/ and make the Gender Pay a thing of the past WACL (Women in Advertising & Communications Leadership ) WACL GATHER Scotland Jackie Stevenson Pippa Glucklich Mel Exon Liz Jones Jane Wolfson Joanna Royce Debbie Phillips

The Gender Pay Gap is the elephant in the corner of most organisation's boardrooms. You know the best way to eat an elephant metaphorically? One tiny chunk at a time. So, let's all take a small chunk out of this issue starting today.