Mind the gap! Most female employees willing to accept flexible work hours, more leave in place of pay rise

It looks like time’s up for unequal pay. According to a survey based on 2005 employees from companies across various sectors such as IT, telecom, education, manufacturing and utilities, finance and healthcare, 67 per cent of women employees plan to ask for a pay hike this appraisal cycle, as compared to 64 per cent of men.

While this shows that the majority of employees are not satisfied with their pay, it highlights the fact that more women than men are dissatisfied. While 20 per cent of women believe that their male counterparts are being paid more than them, only nine per cent of men feel women are being paid less than them.

More than half of the respondents stated that they had asked for a hike in the previous year, only to be refused. However, many of the respondents said that they would be willing to accept alternative benefits at work in place of a pay rise. Over 60 per cent said flexible work hours and 47 per cent suggested an increase in annual leave, as an alternative to a pay hike. Close to 40 per cent also cited paid parental leave as a benefit they would prefer, while 63 per cent respondents asked for healthcare benefits instead of a pay rise.