The intractable nature of the gender pay gap-a comparative perspective: Conclusions and reflections

In this book we set out to explore the continued and significant gender pay gap that persists in many countries. We examine the position in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and the Republic of Ireland. Taking a comparative approach and through interdisciplinary research, we have revisited the issues by analysing and scrutinising many of the causes of the gender pay gap and the varied approaches taken to make change happen. We have also explored new and more up to date issues such as workers in the gig economy, the prosecution of pay equality claims, the use of corporate social responsibility to ‘manage’ equality issues and the world after the Covid-19 pandemic. These conclusions draw the many themes together, reflecting on the effectiveness of the Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017 in tackling the gender pay gap, the many causes of the gender pay gap and a look to the future of policy and legislative developments taking a comparative perspective.