Equal Pay Day 2012 in Europe

Equal Pay Day Initiated by BPW in 2008

Why does equal pay matter? Closing the gender pay gap has benefits for employers and workers Creates quality jobs Attracts the best and most talented workers Creates a positive working environment Increases productivity and competitiveness Closing the gender pay gap makes the economy as a whole more profitable Women play a vital role in Europe’s employment and growth Their skills and talents are necessary for economic and social development Closing the gender pay gap can help to create a more equal society Valuing women’s skills can improve their economic independence Fewer women will be in poverty, particularly upon retirement

The History of Equal Pay Day Initiated by BPW/USA in 1988 as the “Red Purse Campaign“ 2008 - Brought to Europe by BPW Germany with the first Equal Pay Day Equal Pay Day expanded throughout Europe in 2009/2010 2010 - International Awareness campaign by BPW International launched in New York at CSW 2010 - EU organizes Equal Pay Day on 15 April (fixed date) 2011- EU follows the calculation formular and organizes the first European Equal Pay Day on 5th March 2011 (average pay gap over Europe 17.5 %)

What is Equal Pay Day? Equal Pay Day symbolizes the day until which women have to work longer to earn the same salary as men earned the year before. Equal Pay Day is a calculated day depending on the pay gap of each country. The goal is that Equal Pay day will be earlier each year according to the development of the pay gap in the country. At Equal Pay day there are activities and events in each country to raise awareness for this still existing pay gap.

How to calculate the date (figures of Switzerland as example) Pay gap (e.g. 19,3 %) AverageWorking days per year* (225) Additional Working days (49) = 11th March 11th March Switzerland 19,3 % 25th March Germany 23 % 13th April Austria 27 % Dates of the first EPD countries in 2011 * Depending on number of holidays in the country

The Goals of Equal Pay Day Raising awareness and mobilization To force governments and companies to change their gender policy Making the “unknown and illegal“ pay gap a topic in the media and in the companies Through media coverage the pay gap becomes a subject of public discussion The goal is: Equal Pay Day will be earlier each year as the pay gap decreases or even disappears.

The symbol of Equal Pay Day: A Red bag On Equal Pay Day women and supporting men wear a red bag Red stands for red numbers. The red bag stands for red numbers in women‘s pockets. France Spain Germany Italy

The Logo Red numbers on our paychecks Less income below the line Red numbers in women´s pockets Designed by Natalie Schommler from Germany, available free of charge for non-commercial use

Events & Activities by BPW in Europe Info stands and events in pedestrian zones or shopping centers During lunch break women, equipped with a red bag, meet in a restaurant or go to the cantine During the “unhappy hour” cafes, bars, restaurants and retailers offer a rebate of xx % for women equivalent to the pay gap in the country Italy Italy Spain Austria

Events & Activities by BPW in Europe Shops decorate their windows with red bags Workshops for salary negotiations Equal Pay Day on TV in the news Serving dishes on the street Switzerland Estonia France

Events & Activities in Europe (2) Letter to 1500 CEOs to inform them about equal pay tools for their companies like equalsalary Panel discussions with high level speakers Award for best Equal Pay Posters at schools Promote and watch the film «We want Sex (Equality)» together at a local cinema Poland Switzerland

Equal Pay Day in the press High media coverage in the local and national press in the countries.

Equal Pay Day Webpages A Web page is an important tool to provide detailed information for the general public, the media and our members For women and men about the topic “Equal pay for equal Work!” About the background Equal Pay Day About cause and effect of the pay gap Overview of regional events Contact persons Q&A about salary negotiations Articles and books about equal pay Press articles and press reviews Links to ministries, salary calculators, etc. Germany

Webpage examples Estonia France Austria

Tools for companies There are tools in some countries to analyse the salaries of women and men within companies (with more than 50 employees) For Example Equal Salary (in Switzerland to be paid) Companies receive certification and label Logib (in Switzerland and Germany for free) Encourage companies to use these tools to reduce the pay gap internally and to become an attractive employer for women!

What is the EU doing?

Delivering statistics: Gender Pay Gap in the countries This is important for countries where no official statistics exist.

What action has the EU taken? Under EU law it is illegal to discriminate against women at work and in their pay: Equal pay for equal work is one of the European Union’s founding principles Article 141 of the Treaty calls for equal pay for work of an equal value The Directive 75/117 provides that the principle of equal pay means, for the same work or for work of equal value, the elimination of all discrimination on grounds of sex with regard to all aspects and conditions of remuneration. In particular, where a job classification system is used for determining pay, it must be based on the same criteria for both men and women and so drawn up as to exclude any discrimination on grounds of sex The 2002 Directive on equal treatment as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions also applies to pay and requires Member States to establish Equality Bodies to promote equal treatment These Directives have been incorporated into a single Directive 2006/54 (The Recast Directive) on equal opportunities and equal treatment in employment and occupation

EU gender pay gap campaign and material Information and material from the EU can be downloaded on this webpage: http://ec.europa.eu/justice/gender-equality/gender-pay-gap/index_en.htm

The gender pay gap across the lifecycle Stereotypes shape women's and men's roles in society, starting at a very early age Whilst this may reflect personal preferences, traditions and stereotypes may influence, for example, the choice of educational paths and employment patterns http://ec.europa.eu/equalpay These Posters can be downloaded from EU webpage.

The gender pay gap across the lifecycle Women and men still tend to work in different jobs. Women often work in sectors where wages are, an average, lower than those dominated by men The gender pay gap exists even though women represent as many as 59% of all university graduates Women's skills and competences are under-valued especially in those occupations where women predominate

The gender pay gap across the lifecycle Women’s opportunities for progression and higher pay in the workplace are affected by their family responsibilities The gender pay gap widens when women have children, and particularly when they work part-time The employment rate for women with dependent children is only 62.4% compared with 91.4% for men with children. More than three-quarters of part-time workers are women (76.5%)

The gender pay gap across the lifecycle The gender pay gap reduces lifetime earnings and women's pensions When women retire their lower pensions mean higher risk of poverty

First results and good practices

Equal Pay Day in Europe initiated by BPW (2008 – 2011) in 17 countries up to now. Number of activities increased every year.

Equal Pay Day activities show results! Those countries who started early, now see the progress (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) Pay gap has been reduced in these countries after 3 - 4 years and Equal Pay Day is earlier now. Equal Pay is regularly in the media in the EPD countries and awareness has increased.

Equal Pay Day shows positive developments after 3 years These 3 countries started very early with the calculated date of Equal Pay Day.

Good practices for Equal Pay Day The creativity for campaigns and activities in our federations is amazing. The more creative they are, the more interesting to the media. Campaigns with humor are very attractive for the media (France, Estonia). Financial support is sometimes granted by a ministry or the EU. Cooperation with other women organisations, trade-unions and trade associations (Germany) Promote Equal Pay together with the WEPs (principle no. 2)

Organize Equal Pay Day Events 2012 in your country! For a “Equal Pay Day” all over Europe!!! Promote to wear a red bag at your Equal Pay Day Inform us about your planned activities and announce them on your website. Send us pictures and text for the European website Together we can make the change!

Contacts and further information concerning Equal Pay Day and BPW Please replace this with your national contact details. Sabine Schmelzer Regional Coordinator Europe coordinator@bpw-europe.org www.bpw-europe.org