Despite the great popularization of gender equality and the introduction of the Equal Treatment Act 10 years ago, according to the Central Statistical Office data, women in Europe, including Poland, still earn less than men.

Statistics of the Central Statistical Office show that women are treated worse than men on the labor market. This is mainly seen in the level of wages. According to data from the Central Statistical Office, Polish women earn up to 20% less than men [1]. The differences in earnings are large in particular for positions such as senior civil servants and managers, specialists and industrial workers and craftsmen. The results of research conducted by the Central Statistical Office are confirmed by the Institute for Structural Research [2]. On the other hand, the Balance of Human Capital (a project run by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development and the Jagiellonian University) alarms that the difference in earnings between women and men is as much as 30% [3].

The problem of women’s discrimination in the labor market is also clearly visible in the professional activity rate. It turns out that more than half of women in Poland do not take up any gainful employment, and almost 17% work part-time [4]. The reason is most often the care of children or other family members and the inability of women to return to the labor market after giving birth to a child. The pandemic also contributed to the difficult situation of women at work – many women surveyed say that the reason for not looking for a job was related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is the situation of women at work who have managed to make a career in this sector? Unfortunately, despite the lack of differences in qualifications and experience, men in the IT industry still earn more than women (regardless of the position).

The European Union attaches great importance to gender equality. This is evidenced by numerous legal acts, such as the Equal Treatment Act or the popularization of the principle of equal treatment in the work environment. The new gender equality strategy for 2020-2025 is to help combat discrimination against women in the labor market. The aim of the European Commission is to create a Union in which both women and men will have equal opportunities for development. A Union in which the differences in the treatment of men and women on the labor market will be eliminated, and the problem of the gender pay and pension gap will be solved.

How to prevent discrimination against women in the labor market? Polish employers can enable women to combine professional development with domestic duties by modifying their work style. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many companies to switch to home office mode – this solution will certainly be used in the coming years, because thanks to it, the parent can perform work duties without neglecting the care of the home and child. Flexible working time is also a rescue – especially in the IT and marketing industries, it often happens that the employee decides what hours work duties are performed. Thanks to this, you can combine family and professional life.

The situation of women in the labor market is slowis improving. For gender equality to become a fact, the state should first focus on introducing parental equality, e.g. by equalizing the proportions between maternity and paternity leave. The principle of equal treatment should also apply in all companies – both at work and when recruiting for vacancies. Candidates for employees should have equal rights for the same performance of the same duties.

Sources:

1. https://stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/rynek-pracy/pracujacy-employment-wynagrodzenia-koszty-pracy/struktura-wynagrodzen-wedlug-zawodow-w-pazdzierniku-2018-roku,4,9.html
2. https://ibs.org.pl/app/uploads/2016/05/IBS_Nierownosc_Placowa_raport.pdf
3. https://www.parp.gov.pl/component/site/site/bilans-kapitalu-humanego#wynikibadaniabkl
4. https://nofluffjobs.com/insights/women-in-it-report 2020/
5. https://executiveclub.pl/2021/03/08/kobiety-na-rynku-pracy-o-rownoupraweniu-i-zasadach-equal-traktowania/

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