Unpaid work factored into fight against pay gap

New efforts to shrink the gender pay gap in the public sector will see unpaid work such as volunteering, parenting and caregiving taken into account when a woman returns to the workforce or applies for a job in the state sector.

Women’s Minister Julie Anne Genter has pledged to eliminate the gender pay gap in the core public sector, which was at 12.5 per cent last year.

That was the lowest since 2000 when it was first measured, according to the State Services Commission, which measures based on average pay.

In its report last year on the pay gap, the State Services Commission said that, anecdotally, time off for parenting or caring was a key driver in the gap because of its effect on career progression and pay.

There have long been calls for such “unpaid” work to be recognised as experience when a woman returned to the workforce and her salary was evaluated.

Acknowledging the relationship between paid and unpaid work is one of five principles state-sector bosses have to consider when recruiting and promoting staff to close the gap.

The principles released will guide them to recognise skills and experience gained through unpaid and caring work and ensure they are “utilised and rewarded”.

Genter said the principles would guide all work by the Government on gender pay.

State Services Minister Chris Hipkins said the principles were developed by state-sector unions and agencies, including the State Services Commission.