Female managers still paid less

FEMALE managers are receiving higher pay awards than their male colleagues, according to a salary survey published today by the

consultants Sedgwick Noble Lowndes. The increases, however, are not large enough to close the pay gap between the sexes.

It is the fourth year in a row that women have won bigger pay rises than men. The average increase in womens' base salary was 5.4 per cent, compared with 5 per cent for their male counterparts.

This follows increases of 6 per cent and 5.4 per cent respectively in the previous 12 months.

Andy Christie, the remuneration consulting director at Sedgwick Noble Lowndes, said: 'Our evidence supports the belief that there has been an attempt to narrow the pay gap between men and women - at least at executive levels. But the gap is still considerable.'

At director level, men are still earning 23 per cent more than women in similar postions. Men holding directorships earn an average base salary of pounds 67,371. The equivalent for women is pounds 54,836. For departmental managers, the difference is 9 per cent - pounds 36,259 for men and pounds 33,169 for women.

The survey also shows an increasing prevalence of performance-related remuneration packages. Nearly half the managers surveyed received performance bonuses last year compared with 39 per cent in 1992/93.

The awards are also getting larger. On average, the performance-related element grew from 15 to 17 per cent of basic salary.

'These bonuses have come in for some criticism but are still popular,' Mr Christie said. 'Companies are revising them rather than abandoning them.'