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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 10th April 2010
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Supporting Female Staff
The gender pay gap continues to be a major issue across all industries.
A new report reveals that female workers face a worsening situation when it comes to achieving equality and, in the event of deep public spending cuts, female workers will be hardest hit, facing widespread job losses and a reduction in post-retirement income.

The findings come as the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) urges organisations to take steps to protect their female employees and it also follows CMI’s latest Economic Outlook survey which revealed that the relative advantage in job security female managers had over their male colleagues, in April 2009, has now disappeared.

Ruth Spellman, chief executive of the CMI says; “It is a depressing fact that inequality appears to be endemic within the UK workforce and despite the fact that many of our European counterparts have succeeded in tackling the problem, UK organisations are lagging far behind when it comes to taking care of their female staff. There is no shortage of female talent in the UK, but organisations persist in passing over women when it comes to filling the top spots. The proportion of female directors has risen by less than one per cent in the past 12 months and is only five per cent higher than a decade ago.

It is a depressing fact that inequality appears to be endemic within the UK
workforce.
“The gender pay gap continues to be a major issue across all industries and urgently needs addressing. Women are paid less than men at all levels, but at director level, this difference can be as much as 15.6 per cent. Diversity is essential in business, but in organisations where women are poorly paid and their ambitions to reach senior positions thwarted, it is no wonder many are keen to jump ship.

“This is a ridiculous state of affairs. There needs to be a radical shift of attitude in the UK whereby gaps in equal opportunities or pay between men and women are regarded as deeply unfair and utterly unacceptable. We are urging employers to take urgent action to protect their female staff and demonstrate that they are just as valued, and valuable, as their male peers.”

Ruth Spellman’s comments come against a backdrop of figures obtained by the CMI’s recent National Management Salary Survey, showing that at junior level, male pay is increasing at a greater rate than female pay: 5.2% compared with 4.6% respectively - an indication that the gender pay gap is actually increasing.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.