Women still expect smaller salaries than men when starting their first job, an analysis has found.
Close to 500,000 salary requests between 2003 and 2013 were examined by graduate-jobs.com. The organisation found that the trend has remained the same for the past ten years.
On average, men request £20,219 per year but women ask for just £18,781. Since 2003 the salary gap has risen from £999 to £1,438.
Office for National Statistics figures published in December 2013 confirm that the gender pay gap increased from 9.5% to 10% since 2012 for full-time employees.
HR Society president Angela O’Connor said women are still “undervaluing themselves” and organisations are allowing it to happen.
Speaking to HR magazine she said: “There is a great deal yet to be done to raise the confidence level of young women so that they see themselves as equally valuable in the employment market.
“We all bear a responsibility for making greater moves forward in this area as employers, educators, parents, politicians and HR professionals.”
Graduate-jobs.com CEO Gerry Wyatt said: “In general we’re still seeing more men than women go into sectors that pay higher salaries.”
“Women must ensure they are not undervaluing themselves when searching for a career.
