In a recent discussion hosted in collaboration with FINSIA and the Workforce Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), Dr Samone McCurdy, Executive Manager of Capacity Building at WGEA, shared valuable insights with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council Chair Natalie Yan-Chatonsky SA FIN into the gender pay gap within the financial services industry.
This engaging conversation offered a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for financial services firms aiming to foster greater gender equality.
Dr McCurdy emphasised the significant potential for financial services to become more service-driven and purpose-driven. By embracing these principles, organisations can enhance their ability to serve customers and engage with communities, while also making the industry a more attractive and inclusive environment for professionals at all levels.
During the interview, we explored:
- The real implications of the gender pay gap in financial services.
- Lessons learned from other sectors that have successfully narrowed the gap.
- Innovative and resource-efficient strategies to future-proof our organisations and make them inspiring workplaces.
The discussion underscored the importance of reimagining how financial services can evolve to better attract, retain, and support a diverse workforce. By implementing thoughtful and innovative strategies, organisations can not only address existing disparities but also set the stage for a more inclusive and dynamic industry.
Stay tuned for more detailed coverage and the full interview in learning about the ways to contribute to closing the gender pay gap and fostering a more inclusive financial services sector.
This comes as WGEA has also launched a new Equal Pay Day campaign to challenge employers to investigate what isn’t adding up in their workplace to drive a reduction in their gender pay gap.
WGEA announced the date for this year’s Equal Pay Day as 19 August, marking the 50 days into the new financial year that Australian women must work to earn the same, on average, as men did last year.
This year WGEA’s Equal Pay Day campaign theme ‘It Doesn’t Add Up’ is a call to action for employers to contribute to improving workplace gender equality by investigating and understanding the environment in their own workplace.
For further information and resources on the gender pay gap report, please visit the WGEA website and explore their initiatives and reports.