“Through collective bargaining the PSA and Child, Youth and Family recently agreed pay rises of between 5 and 13 percent for Child, Youth and Family social workers.  However, factors in the underlying pay system that may lead to inequity need to be investigated rather than just negotiating pay increases during collective bargaining.”

Mr Smith thanked the PSA for the role it played in the review and for its ongoing involvement in the implementation of the review plan and the pay investigation.

Background

• As part of the Government’s five year action plan for achieving pay and employment equity, government agencies are undertaking Pay and Employment Equity (PaEE) reviews.  Child, Youth and Family is one of the first agencies to complete its review  
• The review looked at the occupational position and pay status of female employees within Child, Youth and Family to identify any gender based disparities or differences that need to be addressed through a response plan
• The review was undertaken with involvement from the Public Service Association

Key findings

• The review identified a number of areas where Child, Youth and Family does well including women participating at all levels of the organisation, women having equal success when applying for promotion, and fair treatment and a supportive approach by individual managers having a positive impact on female staff
• The review also identified that improving internal policies and practices would help Child, Youth and Family to better support staff.  This included the performance appraisal and pay progression system, parental leave, flexible working options and work life balance; information and guidance about training, and secondment and advancement opportunities 
• Across New Zealand, women earn less on average than men - the review confirmed that the same is true in Child, Youth and Family.  Within the organisation average earnings for male staff were 9.5% higher than for female staff, compared to a 13.9% difference across New Zealand in 2006.  The review found that improving policies and practices would help the organisation address this.  Since the review was undertaken, collective agreements have increased salaries by 5 to 13%.  The review also identified that the female domination of social work as an occupation may contribute to the difference.

Response plan

Child, Youth and Family has begun the implementation of a response plan to address the issues identified in the review.  Some initiatives are already in place e.g. the new Pay and Development System.  Issues relating to individual staff, such as qualified social workers being paid below the qualified starting rate, have been addressed. 

Pay investigation

• Child, Youth and Family will undertake a pay investigation to explore whether the female domination of social work as an occupation contributes to the pay disparity.  This investigation will look at whether the social work job category is properly job sized and appropriately paid.
• The investigation will involve:

- Gathering information on statutory social work jobs, including frontline, adoptions, residential, and call centre social work jobs within Child, Youth and Family

- Comparing this information with selected ‘comparator jobs’ from within public service occupations that are male dominated (i.e. more than 60% of employees are male) and that have the same occupational classification, skill level, and entry level and training criteria as social work

• The investigation will be guided and supported by the Pay and Employment Equity Unit of the Department of Labour.
• The investigation is expected to be complete in early 2009. 

Read the Pay and Employment Equity Review Response Plan.