FIGHTING THE GENDER PAY GAP

HELENE REARDON-BOND OBE IS A LEADING UK EXPERT ON THE GENDER PAY GAP AND FORMER HEAD OF GENDER EQUALITY POLICY ACROSS GOVERNMENT.

Earning more over a lifetime can have the biggest impact on your finances. Yet women take home nearly a fifth less than men. Find firms that pay women more equally by visiting gender -pay-gap.s ervice.gov.uk/ viewing/search-results. Instead of accepting a salary, negotiate.

IN YOUR 30S Check the salary benchmark for your job. Choose a moment when you have just delivered a good piece of work or taken on extra responsibility. Make your case and wait for the response. IN YOUR 40S The motherhood penalty widens the pay gap. Many women feel they have no choice but to opt for lower-paid, part-time work. Avoid this by looking for firms that offer returnships (schemes for returning mothers), as they will value your skills. 50 PLUS Women are stereotyped in the way men are not… tackle this by being clear you are still interested in opportunities and make the point you no longer have young children so can travel and still want new challenges. 60 PLUS Set yourself up in your own business or work as a consultant – you can use your skills and experience rather than feeling undervalued. W&H