Work & Income

• The pay gap between women and men is 9%
• 70% of people who are in national minimum wage jobs are women
• 300,000 women are sacked from their jobs for being pregnant
• 70% of women reduce work hours or quit jobs after having children but only 11% of men do the same thing
• 440,000 women lose out on promotions and pay rises as a result of being pregnant
• Which sociologist found that Gender pay gaps among graduates are evident after 7 years of graduation?

  Purcell et al
• Purcell et al found that the gender pay gaps among graduates were evident after 7 years. She believes this is because of discrimination and not any other reasons as these women are still young (not yet mothers).
• Barron and Norris - found that there is a dual labour market. Women are in the secondary labour market ( the 5C’s) and men are in the primary labour market.
• Horizontal segregation refers to how many different job areas men and women are in.
• The Women and Work Commission 2006 found that women were disproportionally clustered into the 5Cs. Which were cleaning, caring, cashiering, catering and clerical (low-status office jobs).
• What types of jobs are in the secondary labour market?

  Temporary, part-time, low-wage, and often lacking benefits.
• What types of jobs are in the primary labour market?

  High-skilled, well-paid, stable jobs with opportunities for advancement.
• Women are 14% more likely to live in poverty
• What are the 4 reasons why women are disadvantaged within Work & Income?

  1. Pay - Purcell et Al
  2. Horizontal segregation - Barron & Norris
  3. Vertical segregation - The glass ceiling
  4. Poverty - Flaherty, Lister
• What does Vertical Segregation mean?

  Meaning women can not move up the ladder to get promotions.
• What is the reason for Vertical segregation?

  The reason is the glass ceiling and discrimination.
• What is one example of Vertical segregation?


  One example is the large number of female primary school teachers but a tiny percentage of women having top jobs like headteachers
• Flaherty believes the reason for why women are 14% more likely to be living in poverty is the pay gap, the types of jobs women get and discrimination
• Lister - adds to Flaherty's argument claiming that women are more likely to have to deal with the consequences and pressures of living in poverty eg raising children — leading to greater stress and poor health.