Uncover the Real Reasons Behind the Wage Gap

Could a world without fixed gender roles lead to true economic equality? Ursula K. Le Guin’s sci-fi explores this, but back on Earth, the persistent “motherhood penalty” suggests we’re far from it.

Key Points

• The gender pay gap persists, influenced by factors like career breaks for childcare.
• New tools are emerging to help businesses identify and address the drivers of gender pay disparities.
• Recent data shows a concerning decline in employment rates for Black women.
• Research indicates biological differences may contribute to differing pain experiences between men and women, which can impact work.

The Lingering Motherhood Penalty

The dualism—the protected and protector; the dominant and submissive—that “pervades human thinking”, writes Le Guin, is almost entirely absent on Winter. But here, societal expectations around motherhood often lead to career interruptions and slower wage growth for women. This contributes significantly to the gender pay gap (the difference between what men and women are paid).

Closing the Gap: A Slow but Steady March?

Some progress is being made. For example, the gender pay gap in Jersey has nearly halved in the last four years. Women working in Jersey’s public sector earned 8.6% less per hour than men in 2025, according to new figures. The government attributes the remaining gap to factors such as part-time work and historically-gendered roles.

Tools for Change

To help address these issues, the Co-op has launched a gender pay gap toolkit. It provides guidance to businesses on how to identify key ‘drivers’ of the gender pay gaps, develop action plans, and improve recruitment and progression opportunities.

Uneven Progress: Setbacks for Black Women

Despite some progress, disparities persist and can even worsen for specific groups. Black women experienced one of the sharpest annual declines in employment in recent years. Their employment rate fell by 1.4 percentage points to 55.7% in 2025, representing one of the sharpest one-year declines in the last 25 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there still a gender pay gap?

The gender pay gap is complex, stemming from factors like career choices, work experience, and societal expectations. For instance, in Jersey, the remaining 8.6% gender pay gap is attributed to part-time work and historically-gendered roles.

What are companies doing to address the gender pay gap?

Companies are starting to take action by identifying the reasons for their gender pay gaps and creating action plans. The Co-op, for example, launched a gender pay gap toolkit to help other businesses pinpoint the causes of their pay disparities.

Are all women equally affected by the gender pay gap?

No, some groups face greater challenges. Research shows that Black women saw a 1.4 percentage point drop in employment rate in 2025, marking a significant setback.

What This Means For You

• If you are a woman in the public sector in Jersey, be aware that the gender pay gap is 8.6%, and understand the factors contributing to it in your workplace.
• For business owners, utilize resources like the Co-op’s gender pay gap toolkit to identify and address pay disparities within your organization.
• Consider that recent data indicates potential employment challenges for Black women, and factor this into your diversity and inclusion efforts.

Source: www.economist.com