Pay rises for women outstrip men for 10th year running

Women have received higher salary increases than men for the 10th successive year and are more likely to be given a bonus, but they are still more likely to resign than their male counterparts.
Research by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and salary analysts Remuneration Economics shows an average increase in earnings of 6.7% for women and 5.6% for men in the 12 months to January 2006 - the highest movement in pay for five years.

Women managers in the HR sector increased their earnings by 6%, against only 4.8% for their male counterparts – putting the sector sixth in this year's earnings league table – two places higher than in 2005.

In real terms this means that female managers in the HR sector earned an average of £43,868 in the year to January 2006. But this is still £9,670 less than the male equivalent of £53,538 - a 22% difference.

The gap at director level in the HR sector is £43,369, with the average female director earning £129,063. However, across the UK, in organisations with a turnover of less than £25m, women directors come out on top, earning £127,369 compared to £116,511 for men.

Despite larger pay awards and higher incidents of bonuses, women are still more likely to resign. In this year's survey, female resignation rates stand at 5.7%, compared to 4% for men.

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