Comment is free: Madeleine Bunting: There is no point waiting for tribunals to narrow the gap. The state must force change through the statute book.

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Just wondering if you had any thoughts on male vs female pay. OK as is or should the state step in?

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Pay should be performance related. End of story, being male or female should not come into.

although the chicas being around to make tea for everyone in addition to their normal work is nice. :o)

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I have no problem with women being payed equally, but if I lost out to a promotion to a women who then decided to have a baby 6months down the line I would be pissed.

Equal pay for equal roles - yes
Promation ahead of men - debatable

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Of course the state should step in- there should be no difference in the pay between two equally sucessful members of staff regardless of sex.

Things like this really make it known how little we have progressed with regards to sexism. Totally unacceptable.

As for women having promotions over men- it shouldn't be 'ahead of men' it should be down to who at that moment is better qualified for the promotion.

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I don't agree. I think your only saying that because your a women.

Men are generally better (in my line of work, engineering) than women so I am biased.

However, if it's an air hostess then the women should get the promotion, especially if she's fit. ;-)

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You're only better at engineering because I can count on one hand the women engineers I know!

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That's because it's too complicated for them - fact! Women are good at kicking ass but not building stuff :-)

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But if there was a woman who was better than you at engineering, should she not get the job ahead of you?

I see what you are saying regarding maternity leave, it's a problem that employers have not really sorted out. In science, it is really harsh on women who take time out, as their skills deteriorate and they lose track of new skills or information, very hard for them to get back into it. I'm not sure if there is a pay discrepancy, prob not (though there are prob less female lab bosses)

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It is exactly this attitude that enrages me.

If women DON'T have babies - just who is going to propogate the species?

Whether a women decides to have a family or not should not impact on her chance of promotion.

Equal pay for equal roles.

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