What's making the news for women in the workplace?
- One Loud Voice
- May 1
- 3 min read
📰 1LV Round up: Here’s our roundup of some of the articles, interviews and news that have made the headlines recently – and made us think about gender equality and women in the workplace ⬇️
UK falls in global gender equality rankings
The PwC Women in Work Index 2025 revealed that the UK dropped to 18th place among 33 OECD countries, its lowest in over a decade. While there were marginal improvements in gender wage gaps and participation, other countries outpaced the UK. Scotland led UK regions, with a significant reduction in the gender wage gap, while London had the highest female full-time employment rate. The report highlighted the need for accelerated progress to close participation and pay gaps.
The ‘Motherhood Penalty’ drives most of the gender pay gap
It’s well-known that motherhood can lead to earnings and career prospects for women – something that feeds the sticky middle of a career where women get stuck. Joeli Brearley, founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, emphasised at the HR Technologies conference that 80% of the UK’s gender pay gap is due to the ‘motherhood penalty’—the earnings and career drop women experience after having children. She urged businesses to support both mothers and fathers with equal parental leave and flexible work, warning that failing to utilise mothers’ skills is a ‘massive missed opportunity’ for the economy.
New laws to prevent workplace sexual harassment could help tackle gender equality
The Employment Rights Bill, advancing through Parliament, will empower regulations requiring employers to proactively prevent workplace sexual harassment. Actions that UK employers must take to proactively prevent sexual harassment in the workplace can be a driver for tackling the broader gender equality, according to experts. The Bill is making its way through Parliament as a Skills and Employment survey found that one in seven UK employees has experienced workplace abuse, including bullying and sexual harassment. Women and night workers, particularly in nursing and teaching, are at higher risk. The findings underscore the need for stronger protections and cultural change in workplaces. Read more here and here
Why women could hold the key to growth
On International Women’s Day (IWD) in March, the Minister for Women and Equalities highlighted that women’s economic inclusion has accounted for 40% of UK growth since 2000. The government estimates that raising women’s employment by 5% could add £125bn annually to the economy. Recent initiatives include better maternity protections, menopause support, and expanded childcare. New research released for IWD warned that the UK’s slow progress on workplace equality is a risk to business growth and innovation. The UK lags behind European peers, with predictions that closing the gender pay gap could take over 30 years. Business leaders are called to action to create environments where women can thrive and advance to senior roles.
How the 1LV WE+ Measure is impacting women in the workplace
A commitment to gender equality is one of the WE+ Measure Goals. The One Loud Voice WE+ brand is all about Women and Equality and so much more. The three core pillars of work are: WE+ Measure, which is all about best practice metrics; WE+ Engagement, which is about gender partnerships; and WE+ Support which is advisory and coaching. The WE+ Measure allows organisations to measure their gender equity inputs against established best practices that achieve gender equality outputs. It benefits the organisation and the women who work there. It’s game changing. To find out more visit https://www.oneloudvoice.co.uk/benchmark
History footnote…
Sex Discrimination Act: It’s 50 years since the 1975 legislation prohibited sex discrimination in the workplace.
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