How we regulate our labour market will be a key factor in determining our ability to attract and retain jobs in the economy. Businesses need to be able to compete successfully in international markets. A balanced relationship between the employer and employees is essential.
Our focus must be on providing well designed and stable labour market regulation that allows for flexibility – enabling employers to respond to changing business demands, while also creating opportunities to build decent work for those wishing to vary their levels of participation in the workforce.
In a globally competitive economic environment, we need labour market policies that support the development of workplaces that are driven by dynamic science and technology. We need flexibility in our working practices, flexibility to engage, whether directly or collectively, and we need to be able to attract the talent needed to sustain strong economic growth.
Gender pay gap reporting is one part of a much-needed wider strategy to address female participation rates and employment gaps between genders. It will not on its own identify or solve the myriad of structural, cultural and policy causes for these differences, but it is a critical and welcome element.
While women make up over half the world’s population, it remains the case they are not fulfilling their potential in measured economic activity or in their contribution to the labour market. This has clear social and economic consequences, and business has an important role to play in finding solutions.
Ibec is supporting business as they complete their reporting obligations and share the work they are doing to tackle gender balance. We are engaging with government and other stakeholders to ensure that the model and method of gender pay gap reporting is fit for purpose. The Ibec guide on navigating the gender pay gap puts the figure clearly as a starting point from which the necessary questions can be asked, data interrogated and appropriate actions taken to achieve the objective that business and other stakeholders all support – that of gender equity.
The Ibec Podcast
Better Balance for Better Business
07 March 2019 - What is on the 'to do' list to improve gender equality in business? Frances Fitzgerald TD, Anne Heraty CEO, Cpl Resources and Dr. Kara McGann join this special edition of the Ibec Podcast to celebrate International Women's Day
The Ibec Podcast
Diversity in the workplace
27 February 2019 - Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM PhD joins the Ibec Podcast to discuss diversity in the modern world of work, and what advancements in cyber security means for the global business community.
The Ibec Podcast
"Mind the Gap", Demystifying the Gender Pay Gap
28 September 2018 - Ibec has launched it's new report 'Mind the gap: An introduction to gender pay gap reporting'. On this podcast we hear from leaders and experts in the area of gender pay gap reporting in both Ireland and the UK and learn what business can do now to prepare.
