A guide for employers on how to close the gap between what men and women earn through paid employment has been released.

In New Zealand the national gender pay gap is 12 per cent and that hasn’t changed for more than a decade.

The Women’s Minister Paula Bennett has today launched ‘Closing the Gender Pay Gap: Actions for Employers’ to private sector companies.

“The Ministry for Women has spoken to 26 companies about their experiences and what they’re doing to close the gap. Twelve companies have released their profiles publically while another 14 had off the record conversations. These companies recognise addressing this issue is crucial to their organisation and their employees,” Mrs Bennett says.

She says if New Zealand organisations identify and address their gender pay gaps, fairer workplaces will be created, and it will raise income for women, families and communities throughout New Zealand.

“It’s good for business too, diverse companies are more successful. The guide is based on New Zealand and international best practice, and applies to companies regardless of whether they are starting their work on their gender pay gap or have established gender and diversity initiatives,” she says.

Mrs Bennett says this is just the first step and the Ministry will soon release guidance to assist employers on how to measure their gender pay gap.