Abstract

Background for this project is the still existing wage gap between men and women in Germany. Although a substantial part of the so called Gender Pay Gap can be traced back to women working part-time more often, interrupting their careers due to childcare and are less likely employed in well payed leadership positions or in high-payment sectors. But even with identical qualification and occupation, women still earn averagely less than men in the same position.
To advance the approach “equal wage for equal work”, a law to promote the transparency of wage structures will come into force in 2017. This will allow employees in establishments with more than 200 employees to request information from the employer about the wage level that colleagues in comparable positions receive.
The aim of the project, which is conducted on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ), is the examination of equality of payment and opportunities for men and women. Therefore a comparison between small companies – to which the law will not apply – and big companies will be established. Of interest are especially the Gender Pay Gap in smaller establishments, the applied wage structures and job evaluation methods, the possibly existing differences by sectors or the existence of a works council as well as the role of company values in regards to female encouragement and equality of opportunities.