News

Gender equality and the gender pay gap in Ireland

Posted: 27 Mar 2018

Gender equality and the gender pay gap in Ireland

While the majority would surely agree that two people doing the same job should be paid the same salary, the reality is unfortunately somewhat different. Around the world, there is no country where women earn an equal salary to that of their male counterparts, a study by the United Nations population fund found.

A 2017 study from the Central Statistics Office which polled gross hourly earnings showed that women in Ireland were paid on average 14% less than men. This was compared to a 12% gender disparity in 2012, highlighting the increasing pay gap between the sexes.

The most recent census in Ireland which was completed in 2016 revealed that 98% of those who stated they were responsible for looking after their family and home were women, with only 9,200 of the 2.3 million men living in the country stating they were responsible for their home and/or family.

While this figure has increased since 2006 – when the findings of the census revealed that only 4,900 men were responsible for their home or family – there is still some considerable progress to be made to reach a state of gender equality.

While there appears to be a defined – and increasing – gap between the pay of men and women in the workplace in Ireland, we may need to look to those who have just graduated to identify where the discrepancy originates. The 2016 census found that male graduates were dominating the traditionally higher paid industries of engineering, communication, manufacturing and construction, whereas female graduates were more prevalent in industries including welfare, education and healthcare.

We may also need to look even further back than graduates, with school subjects impacting the future careers that women enter. The focus of traditionally male-dominated subjects such as science, technology, engineering and maths – often referred to as ‘STEM’ – should be geared towards girls as well as boys during school years.

What causes a gender pay gap?

A diverse, balanced workforce encourages innovation and growth, yet the imbalance between the genders is clear.

While women in the workplace often choose to work in industries with lower pay such as healthcare and charities – or they have familial or care-giving responsibilities – there are other factors which contribute to a gender pay gap, such as social pressures and, many believe, an innate gender bias.

It is suggested that women are often placed at a disadvantage in subtle ways in the workplace, such as through the prevalence of the 24/7 working culture where employees are expected to be ‘switched on’ and accessible outside traditional office hours. This workplace culture is believed to contribute substantially to inequalities in the workplace, as those who have care-giving responsibilities outside their place of work – primarily women as the census statistics revealed – are often unable to work in this way.

The need for women to take time out of the workplace when they have children is also a primary contributing factor to women earning less than their male counterparts. Once they have had children, women often prioritise raising their family above working full time. Many choose to work part time, or may cease to work completely to dedicate their time to raising their family.

Part time work or reduced hours often has a negative impact on a woman’s career prospects, as opportunities for pay rises and promotions are often less prevalent than those for men. Indeed, women are often paid less for the same role from the outset, putting them at an immediate disadvantage.

While male dominated industries are often seen as ‘boys’ clubs’ and the IT industry is often perceived to be heavily male focused, the industry is also regarded as one of the most innovative, so the sector as a whole must do more to ensure there is a culture where women can thrive.

The technology industry is admired for being such an innovative industry, yet it must do more to institute a culture where women can progress – from entry level roles through to the most senior positions.

Overall, women are currently considerably under-represented in senior positions across the EU, with only 17% of board members in the largest listed companies registered as female. Women also only account for ⅓ of engineers and scientists in Europe.

How can the gender pay gap be addressed?

There are several ways of levelling the disparity between genders in the workplace, including:

  1. Offering flexible working – enabling employees – both male and female – to work hours which fit around their familial responsibilities
  2. Holding regular performance reviews – this will ensure that all employees’ performance is evaluated in line with a clear set of objectives, with clarity regarding areas which need to be improved and those which are already strong
  3. Providing salary transparency – this will enable every employee to see if there is a gender influenced pay discrepancy
  4. Removing negotiation-based pay reviews – typically, women do not perform as well as their male counterparts in negotiation, so any salary review should be agreed based on the individual’s performance review, with a clear and defined figure in place

While addressing – and closing – the gender pay gap is key for an equal, balanced workplace, it is also a primary factor in achieving employee wellbeing and job satisfaction, as the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development) found.

How is Ireland addressing the gender pay gap?

The Irish government hosted a symposium in January which addressed the country’s gender equality agenda. Requirements for companies to publish their employees’ pay were discussed, alongside other measures to address the pay disparity between the genders.

The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017 – 2020 highlights nearly 140 actions across the government which are aimed at achieving and maintaining gender equality, including:

  1. Commissioning an independent review of women in senior management and governance
  2. Implementing measures to promote and increase female representation

The aim of the strategy is to build ‘…an Ireland where all women can enjoy equality with men and achieve their full potential, while enjoying a safe and fulfilling life’.

The Connecting Women in Technology conference held in September 2017 discussed the role of women in technology, with a focus on inclusion and promotion. 18 of the top tech companies in Ireland – including Google, BT and Hewlett Packard – shared ideas on how to recruit and retain female employees in the traditionally male dominated industry.

The signs are promising, as while current EU figures show that while women in Ireland currently earn 14% less than men on average, this is less than the UK where the gender pay gap currently sits at 19.5%.

At Eolas Recruitment, we welcome the progressions towards continuing to address the gender pay gap and wholly support the equal inclusion of women in the technology, IT and communication sectors. Whether you are looking for your first role in the industry, or you are  established in your career, get in touch with us to discuss your recruitment needs.

Previous Page Job SearchContact Us

Related NewsView all news

Article-image-June-min_900x500_acf_cropped

Data analysts— applying for the best roles and preparing for interview

  • 2 Jun 2023

In every sector of the economy, businesses are increasingly relying on data to enhance operations and strengthen decision making. Realtime data from sources like sales, accounts and payroll is being used to reduce costs and enhance profitability...

Read more
Creative_Illustration_Eolas_Recruitment_4-01_900x500_acf_cropped

Businesses are still hungry for Tech Skills

  • 3 May 2023

For some employers, greater availability of talent in the current market presents an opportunity to strengthen their permanent tech resources. It also makes it easier to bring on board interim workers or contractors for urgent or specialised...

Read more
how-to-stand-out-from-the-crowd-erisberg-aquires-article-img_900x500_acf_cropped

How to stand out from the crowd when applying for tech roles

  • 2 Mar 2023

Skills shortages in the tech sector continue to make it difficult for employers to attract and retain good candidates. Demand for both permanent and contract tech workers intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic as traditional businesses were forced...

Read more

Latest Reviews

I had an absolutely wonderful experience with Eolas, and I am immensely grateful for the outstanding support and assistance provided by Sean Prendergast. From the moment I engaged with Eolas, Sean has been an incredible resource and advocate, ensuring that my journey with the company was nothing short of exceptional.Throughout the entire recruitment process, Sean's professionalism shone through. His expertise and guidance were invaluable in helping me navigate every step, from the initial interview to securing the position. His attention to detail and commitment to understanding my career aspirations made me feel truly heard and valued as a candidate.I highly recommend Eolas to anyone seeking professional recruitment services. Their commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and genuine care for candidates make them a standout choice in the industry. My experience with Eolas was truly outstanding, and I am confident they will continue to assist many individuals in their pursuit of fulfilling careers.A heartfelt thank you to Jim Ryan, the Managing Director of Eolas, for his exceptional leadership and support.
Jorge Acosta
Jorge Acosta
11:24 18 May 23
Nicola was very helpful and professional throughout the recruitment process. She answered the many questions I had in a clear and concise manner. Overall great communication throughout.
Fintan Moloney
Fintan Moloney
08:50 18 May 23
Nicola did an awesome job, always keeping me posted about the status of my job application and interviews. She provided great materials to help prepare and was very transparent in setting expectations and negotiating on my behalf. I highly recommend.
Aymeric P
Aymeric P
10:19 12 May 23
Very Professional, friendly and helpful with queries. Helped me through the whole process with regular updates and communication.
Andrew OConnor
Andrew OConnor
05:23 10 May 23
My dealings with Nicola as a senior recruiter was one of the best experiences I’ve had in my years of engaging with recruitment agencies. Nicola’s professionalism, courtesy and friendly manner was refreshing. I highly recommend Nicola as a recruitment partner. David
David Brady
David Brady
17:06 03 May 23
I dealt with Nicola Byrne whom I found to be excellent, particularly in keeping me up to date and staying in contact. I would recommend Nicola and Eolas to anyone seeking a new role.
Daryl McGrath
Daryl McGrath
20:53 26 Apr 23
I had a great experience with Eolas. They contacted me for a role that suited my needs exactly. The interview process happened very smoothy thanks to the way they communicated and organised the interviews.
Barry McMahon
Barry McMahon
07:56 20 Apr 23
Eolas has been great for me. They are to the point and beyond helpful and supportive, going the extra mile but taking you there as well so you are the best you when you need to be. Cant recommend them enough, and I hope to be working with them for a long time and on many occassions.
Diego M. Sieiro
Diego M. Sieiro
10:36 14 Apr 23
Fantastic company. Peter Kirby contacted me and was extremely helpful and responsive throughout the entire interview and hiring process. I highly recommend Eolas recruitment!
Paul
Paul
10:07 14 Apr 23
I had the pleasure and good fortune of working with Eolas and Peter Kirby in particular. I was matched to a role that is the perfect fit for me. Peter Kirby and Caoimhe Cronin made the recruitment process seamless. Fast, efficient, helpful, courteous and friendly. I have no hesitation in giving Eolas my highest recommendation, definitely deserving of a 5 star!
Miriam O'Dowd
Miriam O'Dowd
17:03 11 Apr 23
Great experience when joining new my contract role. Got all my questions answered very quickly through Caoimhe. She was very responsive and professional throughout my process from scheduling interview till my first day. Very well detailed information was provided to me for my first day, so thank you!
Satpreet Singh
Satpreet Singh
00:54 20 Mar 23
My experience with Eolas recruitment was fantastic, Sean Prendergast was a pleasure to deal with, he kept me informed throughout the whole process and I would recommend Sean and the Eolas team to anyone looking for a new job position
Valerie Flynn
Valerie Flynn
16:47 17 Feb 23
Recruitment process was smooth. Alan was in touch with me via email even when I was out of Ireland. I was given sufficient time for interview preparation and they also gave me enough time to rest after coming back to Ireland and did not rush me to join work immediately. The onboarding process went smooth as well. Alan was very helpful throughout. Thanks Eolas for your service and helping me get a contract job.
Deepika Phadtare
Deepika Phadtare
09:31 08 Feb 23
I would highly recommend Eolas Recruitment. It was Very quick response to my application and they kept me up to date with every stage of the process. I am just about to start a great new role thanks to their fantastic services. I wanted to thank STEPHEN DALY and CAOIMHE CRONIN for all the support and encouragement. 😇
Sasikala R
Sasikala R
19:57 06 Feb 23
Great working with this agency, I landed a great opportunity with them, they do everything with people looking to change like me, Special thanks to Luke P for going beyond to help in any he could.
Ciaran Collins
Ciaran Collins
19:47 02 Feb 23
My fresh experience with eolas recruitment was excellent and amazing, Peter Kirby and Caoimhe Cronin was really supportive and professional, guided me through the entire interview process and supported me every moment before and after the interview. I am very grateful to eolas as my recruiting agency. Thank you for the great service you offered.Lijumol Shaji
lijumol Shaji
lijumol Shaji
09:46 28 Jan 23
It was a wonderful experience throughout the recruitment process. Luke Prendergast dealt and assisted me with every step in a very professional manner.
Khushpinder Singh
Khushpinder Singh
12:24 17 Jan 23
I'm currently contracting through Eolas and I couldn't recommend them enough. Everything from interviews through to supporting on boarding has been very efficient. I've dealt primarily with Stephen Daly for recruitment, he's a gentleman, very competent and always available for questions. Also Berilyn Teeling my accounts contact is very friendly and professional.One stand out feature is the communication between agents in Eolas. When you take the time to reply with feedback to one of the Eolas agents about a proposed role that isn't for you, you'll be contacted about a position that suits you if one arises!
Christopher Casey
Christopher Casey
11:44 17 Jan 23
It was an amazing experience with Eolas recruitment team.Caoimhe Cronin was very helpful all the way through the recruitment process. I would say it was one of the best HR experiences I have with Caoimhe.Thank you for all your help and support.
aitham vinay
aitham vinay
15:14 09 Jan 23
Excellent experience going through the recruitment process with Eolas Recruitment as a job seeker. Alan was superb in keeping me up to date and preparing me for the various interview rounds. I can highly recommend.
Thomas O'Brien
Thomas O'Brien
14:04 09 Jan 23
My experience with Eolas was great. It was a pleasure dealing with Alan Kane. He was extremely professional and helpful throughout the process.He kept me up to date with my progress after the interview. I would higly recommend Alan and Eolas team.
Komal Joshi
Komal Joshi
14:10 03 Jan 23
Alan and Peter were great at onboarding me through the process. They helped to give me whatever resources and understanding I needed in order to settle my nerves at every step of the way and I couldn't be more grateful for their help! Highly recommend.
Tadhg Deeney
Tadhg Deeney
14:50 24 Dec 22
I was with Caroline on securing a position with a tech company.The job specification on the position was clear. I was also able to get a salary range the position offered and not "competitive salary" answer.The company I applied for was a bit slow at getting back. Eolas followed up with what the delay was and kept me up to date with what was happening.Got interviews: YesGot Job Specs: YesGot Salary Range: YesGot Position: YesThomas
Tom Walsh
Tom Walsh
16:22 08 Dec 22
I had a great experience working with Peter Kirby and Caoimhe Cronin at Eolas. They are very professional and very communicative. I received supports and adviceseach step through the whole process. I would highly recommend Eolas. Thanks a million!
Wei Duan
Wei Duan
18:50 22 Nov 22
From the initial discussion about my role through, the vetting, onboarding and right through to the invoicing and payment process the experience with Eolas has been first rate. Luke helped me highlight the items on the CV that the client was looking for and Stephen gave me solid advice about how to invoice in Euros from a UK company. Stephen advised me to open a euro account. Advice which I initially ignored...at my cost...the Royal Bank of Scotland creamed 4.6% of my first invoice! Next time I will listen to the voice of experience.
Tony Hasler
Tony Hasler
08:51 18 Nov 22
I had an incredible experience with Eolas and Peter Kirby. I was prepped for my interview and received regular updates throughout the process. By far, the best experience I’ve had with a recruiter and would thoroughly recommend.
Liane Mulvaney
Liane Mulvaney
18:56 25 Oct 22
I would highly recommend Eolas recruitment. Have been placed in a couple of roles during my career and have always found the team to be very competent, honest and efficient.
Finbar Pimlott
Finbar Pimlott
15:04 24 Oct 22
Fantastic support received from Sean Prendergast. He went above and beyond to match my experience and interest to the role and company, gave me great preparation for the interview and kept me fully informed every step of the way. He was professional and personable, and I would highly recommend his services.
Katie O' Connor
Katie O' Connor
15:19 21 Oct 22
One of the best recruitment companies in Ireland. Alan from Eolas helped me right from day 1 of my process and is even catching up with me after getting an offer letter. A big thanks to Eolas and Alan for their commitment in getting candidates the right job in top companies.
Dheeraj Shetty
Dheeraj Shetty
16:49 20 Oct 22
My experience with Eolas was a fantastic one It was a pleasure dealing with Peter Kirby who was very professional. Throughout the interview process his advice and guidance proved to be extremely helpful. I received help preparing for my interview. I was thoroughly informed about what the interview was going to be like. I was also kept up to date with my progress after the interview. The turnaround time was phenomenal! I recommend the Eolas team to anyone searching for a new position.
Rowena Bisschoff
Rowena Bisschoff
12:20 10 Oct 22

Upload your CV

  • Send us your CV and we'll be in touch with jobs relevant to you.

  • Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 10 MB.
  • In order to submit this form you'll need to agree with our Privacy Policy