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Mind the Gap by Dorothy Jarvis-Lee

Equality in the workplace is about more than pay


It’s hard to deny that there is an increased media focus on the gender pay gap as the deadline approaches for large companies to publish their data. At ubu, we are proud that our gender pay gap report shows only a small gap of 2.1%. This pay gap is marginal when compared to the national average of 18%.


Although a pay gap does not indicate that a company is failing to pay men and women equally for the same role, it does open discussion around workplace equality. Why are there more men in senior level roles? Why are some industries still predominantly male and some female?


Companies are now having to address these types of question and consider how to resolve the issues. I think this is a huge positive for everyone.


Having a diverse workforce and a diverse senior management team provides many benefits for a company. A diverse workforce, made up of different backgrounds, experiences and skills, gives you access to a wider range of viewpoints, ideas and solutions. Employing, training and promoting people of all ages, genders, races, religions and abilities can help an organisation better meet the expectations of a diverse customer base.


Although pay is a big talking point at the minute, equality in the workplace isn’t solely about receiving the same financial rewards. Equality in the workplace is about receiving the same level of respect, the same opportunities to develop and the same level of safety, care and protection.


At ubu, we place a high value on workplace equality. If we did not treat our workforce with fairness, respect and dignity, then we would not be able to provide the service we do. We extend this equality to the people we serve too. We listen to their ideas, goals and dreams, and encourage them to aim high so they reach their potential. Our approach to enabling our employees and the people we serve to become the people they want to be is what makes ubu so special.


I’ve seen some amazing transformations during my time with ubu; every day I see people achieve things they never believed possible.


The secret to our success? Treating people as equals; giving them support, building their confidence and enabling them to take steps towards the life they want.

If more organisations took this approach to equality then they too would benefit from a motivated team, happy customers and a wonderfully diverse workforce.

I hope that the gender pay gap continues to encourage companies to talk about equality, prejudice and discrimination in the workplace, and not just in relation to gender. There are some truly amazing and talented people out there who are being overlooked by organisations that don’t embrace equality.


Here at ubu, we will continue to promote equality, not just in the workplace but in the wider community too.


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Why not, sit back and read more about some of our great successes.

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