New Delhi, March 6 (FN Bureau) A DBS Bank-CRISIL survey has found that 23% of salaried women in India’s metros perceive a gender pay gap at their workplaces while 16% reported gender bias. The findings are based on a survey of over 800 salaried and self-employed women across 10 cities across the country. As per the report released on Wednesday, affluent women reported a higher perception of the gender pay gap at 30%, while this stood at 18% among semi-affluent women. “Semi-affluent women, earning between Rs 10 to 25 lakhs annually, and affluent women, with salaries ranging from Rs 41 to 55 lakhs per year, have varying perspectives on the gender pay gap,” it said. A similar trend was seen with the perception of gender bias at the workplace with 30% of affluent women asserting that they had experienced it, significantly higher than the 12% of women in the semi-affluent cohort who had perceived the same bias.
The report said that 42% of salaried women in metros face challenges while negotiating salaries. The experiences however differed between the eastern and western parts of India. “In Kolkata, 96% of salaried women do not face a challenge in negotiating their pay, while only 33% in Ahmedabad feel the same. Contrasting perspectives are also observed in southern India. In Chennai, 77% of women do not face challenges when negotiating salaries, compared to 41% in Hyderabad,” the survey found. Kishore Poduri, Managing Director, and Country Head – HR, DBS Bank India said that encouraging the active participation of women in the workforce is crucial for fostering their economic independence and ensuring autonomy in financial decision-making. “Insights gleaned from the study can empower organisations to understand women’s aspirations better and tailor strategies that align with their preferences. This can lead to more fulfilling careers for women, enhancing their participation in the workforce and maximising their potential contributions,” he further said.