FDM Group, a global leader in the recruit, train and deploy sector, has achieved a median gender pay of -2.1% for 2020, an improvement on the -1.7% figure for 2019 and 0% for 2018 and 2017. The figures cement FDM Group’s commitment to continually building a diverse and inclusive workforce – standing it as one of the best places for women to work in the technology industry.
The coronavirus pandemic has threatened the progress made on women being paid the same as men in a role through the suspension of pay gap reporting in April and resulting recession – which has pushed the gender pay gap back to pre 2008 recession figures. The announcement of FDM Group’s gender pay gap is a breath of fresh air.
FDM Group is an early adopter of gender pay gap reporting introduced by the UK Government in April 2017 and has chosen to disclose its figures this year, despite the mandatory requirement put on holt due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Gender pay gap reporting requires employers with 250 or more employees to publish statutory calculations every year, showing how large the pay gap is between their male and female employees. In 2016, a report from McKinsey & Co showed that eliminating work-related gender pay gaps could add £150 billion to annual UK GDP by 2025 through enhanced productivity and business reputation.
The Group has worked hard to narrow the gap on pay equity through a relentless focus on the recruitment, training, and mentoring of women across the business, including a substantial proportion of ‘Returners to Work’, while also rewarding high performing women with better pay and bonuses.
FDM Group now has 33.5% of women in its higher quartile pay bracket, up from 28.3% last year. The company’s bonus pay gap has been decreased once again to just -3.6%, down substantially from -5.0% in 2019 and 14.8% in 2018.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, FDM Group has invested heavily in empowering employees to reach their full potential. It continues to The proportion of females receiving a bonus at FDM Group stands at 85.5%, up from 84.9% two years ago.
Battling the gender pay gap is not an easy fight, says Sheila Flavell CBE, Chief Operating Officer, FDM Group: “We have always been a strong supporter of gender pay gap reporting and are proud to announce a median gender pay of -2.1% per cent – our best results to date. These figures underline the fact that we honour our commitment to building an increasingly diverse workforce and ensure women are given access to exciting new careers.
“Achieving these results has not been easy, it has required a concerted effort from the board and the wider company to ensure we have the right recruitment, training, and support systems in place to ensure pay is fair, even when employees have taken time out to have a family or career break.
“Developing the next generation of female leaders is critical for FDM’s continued success. Diversity is in our DNA and in times of disruption, FDM Group’s values and vision for the future will always shine through.”
