News

WDH has published its gender pay gap report for 2021 which shows the difference in average earnings between men and women. The fifth report to be published, demonstrates the mean gender pay gap has narrowed to 11.6% compared to last year.

Andy Wallhead, Chief Executive at WDH, said: “We are committed to equality and diversity across all areas of our organisation, and we have a robust equitable pay and grading structure to ensure fairness. It’s encouraging to see the gap narrowing even further but we know there is more to be done and we continue to take action to help us achieve a better gender balanced organisation.”

Tracy Tallant, Director of Organisational Development at WDH, added: “There are more men in senior leadership positions within the organisations. In addition, our male-dominated trade operative workforce, who work on a performance-related-pay system (PRP), impacts negatively on the gender pay gap, and this is all combined with much wider societal issues. We are taking steps to address these issues, but real progress will take time. However, we are pleased to see the positive impact they are already having.”

With cooperation from all employees and trade unions WDH continues to focus on closing the gender pay gap.

The steps WDH has put in place include:

• targeted development sessions through a female leadership coaching programme to encourage career development and more women applying for senior leadership positions;
• setting up a Gender Pay Gap working group, giving employees a forum to discuss and share ideas on how WDH can do more to narrow the gap;
• the introduction of flexible and agile working practices across the business to help improve work-life balance; and
• targeted recruitment campaigns, taster sessions and career events to encourage more females to apply for craft roles and apprenticeships.

Read the report in full here.