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Gender discrimination

29 October 2024

Information and resources on UCU's work to help tackle gender discrimination.

Pay gaps

Academic gender pay gap will take 40 years to close

It will take 40 years to close the academic gender pay gap, warned a 2017 report from UCU. The report reveals that, in 2015/16, UK universities had a 12% overall gender pay gap for academic staff, compared to 12.3% in 2014/15 and 12.6% in 2013/14:

The gender pay gap in higher education: 2015/16 - full report, May 17 [1mb]

Violence

Action against violence against women

This guidance is for UCU branch officers supporting members experiencing violence at home and in the workplace:

Action Against Violence Against Women - branch guidance 2019 [321kb]

Gender based violence

This briefing paper provides a definition of gender based violence and an overview of the legal remedies available. There is also information about recent developments and a list of where to access more information, advice and resources (including UCU's own guidance documents).

Gender based violence [166kb]  |  Gender based violence [93kb]

Model policy for branches on domestic violence

Model domestic violence policy for branches [473kb]
Model domestic violence policy for branches [120kb]

Dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace

In response to a survey conducted by UCU amongst women members, UCU has developed a guidance for branches and members on how to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace and support members who experience it.

Dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace [242kb]  
Dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace [95kb]

Violence against Women: FGM

To coincide with International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) we looked at the theme of violence against women and in particular female genital mutilation.  

Key facts:

  • an estimated 125 million girls and women alive today have been cut in 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East
  • if current trends continue, some 86 million young girls worldwide are likely to experience some form of the practice by 2030
  • FGM is mostly carried out on young girls sometime between infancy and age 15
  • FGM cause severe bleeding and health issues including cysts, infections, infertility as well as complications in childbirth increased risk of newborn deaths
  • FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

Violence against women - FGM [84kb]   

Violence against women - FGM [70kb]

Menopause

Supporting menopausal women at work

Raising women's health issues within UCU is a priority for the union. Women going through the menopause may need additional consideration or adjustments. UCU has produced guidance on supporting menopausal women at work, which includes practical suggestions for how branches/reps can assist in supporting women members and what to be asking employers for.

Guidance on supporting menopausal women at work [227kb]
Guidance on supporting menopausal women at work [97kb]

Abortion rights

Abortion rights - a trade union issue

This briefing paper gives an overview of the law, describes what UCU is doing and explains how branches and members can get involved.

Abortion Rights [229kb]  |  Abortion rights [89kb]

Parental/maternity rights

Shared parental leave guidance spring 2015

Shared parental leave guidance spring 2015 [229kb]
Shared parental leave guidance spring 2015 [85kb]

Maternity rights for fixed-term contracts and casually employed staff

This guide briefly outlines maternity rights on fixed-term and casual contracts.

Maternity Rights for Fixed Term Contracts and Casually Employed Staff [204kb]
Maternity Rights for Fixed Term Contracts and Casually Employed Staff [77kb]

Last updated: 29 October 2024