Transparency pilot to break down barriers for women

To mark International Women’s Day, Baroness Stedman-Scott is launching two new initiatives to level up employment opportunities for women.

The Minister for Women said that the first initiative will seek to improve pay transparency in the job application process and help businesses who want to go even further in attracting women to their positions. Evidence shows listing a salary range on a job advert and not asking applicants to disclose salary history provides a firm footing for women to negotiate pay on a fairer basis.

As part of the move, participating employers will list salary details on job adverts and stop asking about salary history during recruitment.

The second initiative will see the government launch a new returners programme to help women back into STEM (science, technology, engineering & maths) careers. The new programme will help organisations to recruit and retain talented staff who are often overlooked because of a gap on their CV, by providing training, development and employment support to those who have taken time out for caring.

Baroness Stedman-Scott said: “The UK can only grasp its full potential by championing its brightest and best, and ensuring everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed. We believe that increased pay transparency will build on positive evidence of the role information can play when it comes to empowering women in the workplace. It is essential that we keep women at the forefront of the levelling up agenda as we recover from the pandemic and rebuild together.

“Our second announcement, supporting skilled women to return to STEM careers after care leave, will keep talented minds in STEM and improve the representation of women and marginalised communities in those incredibly important roles.”