The gender pay gap is narrowing in Canada, with women earning roughly 21 per cent less than men in 2022, compared to 24 per cent less in 2021, according to a new survey by ADP Canada.
The survey, which polled more than 1,500 workers, found the average salary for men was $72,743, compared to $57,725 for women. A third (33 per cent) of men said they earned more than $80,000, compared to just 18 per cent of women.
Nearly half (47 per cent) of employees said they’d consider leaving their current employer if they learned that a colleague of equal seniority but different gender received a higher salary. This percentages increases among women (50 per cent) and decreases among men (44 per cent).
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Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of generation Z workers and about half (53 per cent) of millennials said they’d consider leaving their job due to gender pay inequities, compared to just 37 per cent of generation X and 32 per cent of baby boomers.
Despite the persistence of the gender pay gap, nearly three quarters (71 per cent) of employees said pay equity is a priority for their employer, a percentage that increases to 72 per cent among women and decreases to 70 per cent among men.
“Regular salary audits can help organizations close the gender pay gap internally and ensure more fair and equitable compensation,” says Heather Haslam, vice-president of marketing at ADP Canada, in a press release. “Additionally, reviewing recruitment practices and encouraging open communication between colleagues and managers to ensure all genders feel included and have the same chances of promotion can help with attracting and retaining top talent.”
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