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Do women in IT get paid less than men?
Half of women reckon so...

By Steve Ranger

Published: Tuesday 09 May 2006

Half of women working in IT believe they are getting paid less than their male colleagues.

A survey of 433 women in IT found that 49 per cent believe their pay package "is not comparable to that of their male counterparts".

In addition, 62 per cent of women believe their company does not have a transparent pay structure, and doesn't make clear the methods by which it awards salary, bonuses and company perks such as company cars or pensions.

The survey, by IT supplier body Intellect, also found that two-thirds (67 per cent) of women don't know if their company carries out an equal pay audit, but nearly three quarters (72 per cent) said their opinion of their employer would improve if their company did so. And 80 per cent said such audits should be compulsory.

Gillian Arnold, chair of Intellect's women in IT forum said in a statement: "Whether the pay gap is perceived or real, it is something which will make women act. If a woman believes that her salary is less than that of her peers, for the same work and experience, then she will be prompted to look elsewhere."

She added: "Current thinking suggests that transparency on salaries and benefits packages can help enormously and can avoid unnecessary publicity and legal fees."