THE salary divide between men and women is likely to narrow from next April when a ‘Gender Equality Duty’ is introduced.

Experts are claiming it will be the biggest change to sex equality legislation since the Sex Discrimination Act was enforced as employers will have to promote gender equality and eliminate discrimination.

Women currently earn on average 17% less than men in the same role and the number of females holding director level posts has also decreased since 2002. The findings from the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) show that 66% of managers and senior officials are men.

This extends to the transport industry where 76% of jobs are taken by males and only 24% by females.

Alan Townsend, chief operating officer at employment site Monster, said: ‘An overwhelming majority of public opinion agrees that women continue to face challenges when it comes to career advancement and are often expected to go that extra mile for pay rises, promotions and positions of authority.’