From its preliminary research, the Scrutiny Panel, chaired by Deputy Louise Doublet, has found that within the public sector a high majority of males occupy the senior level jobs, as identified in the States of Jersey Annual Report and Accounts 2017. The figures showed that 86.7% of directors and 66.9% of senior managers were male while women made up 63% of the overall public sector workforce.

These figures were reflected within a response to a written question regarding public sector pay for men and women. The data showed that a higher proportion of females compared to males earnt £70k or less within the public sector workforce. It also showed that a higher proportion of males compared to females earnt £70k or more.

The Panel, which includes  Deputy Kirsten Morel, Vice-Chair, Senator Kristina Moore and Deputy Jess Perchard,  would like to review whether there is a gender pay gap in the public and private sectors so that more informed policy decisions can be taken in future. 

They will seek to determine whether there is a gender pay gap and assess what measures are being taken to promote more equal, inclusive and transparent workforce environments. They will also explore the sociological factors associated with the gender pay gap and examine what is going on in other jurisdictions.

Deputy Louise Doublet, Chair of the Panel, said: “It is so important that we find out whether there is a gender pay gap in Jersey. Currently, there are very limited statistics in this area and having reliable data is paramount in helping us make evidence based, well informed policy decisions in future - we can’t address what we don’t know. We are calling on the public and organisations to write to us on this very topical issue.”