Young Women’s Manifesto
Young women and non-binary people aren’t getting a fair deal. 53% of them have faced discrimination in the workplace. Employers agree, 30% of HR decision makers are aware of young women being discriminated against.
This manifesto was created by and for Young Women. They’ve told us what they need. Now we need those with the power to make change happen to listen to them.
Our work is inclusive of all those who experience misogyny, including non binary people.
Fair and equal pay
Young women earn, on average, £4000 less per year than young men of the same age. We must change this to ensure that young women receive equal pay. Some young women are more susceptible to pay inequality, so we must ensure ethnicity and disability pay gaps are included in this conversation.
What we need:
- Employers to show the salary on job ads, and not ask applicants for their current salary
- The Government to ensure employers tackle gender, ethnicity and disability pay gaps
- Creating a labour market that values what is traditionally seen as ‘women’s work’
No barriers to work
Young women can face multiple barriers when trying to access decent, fairly paid jobs. We are denied opportunities to use our talents and thrive.
What we need:
- Inclusive recruitment practices, including positive action, removing gender bias in job ads and interviews, and more accessible interview processes.
- Flexible working to become default, including in ‘frontline’ roles like retail and social care
- Childcare that meets young women’s needs – affordable, accessible and flexible
Support to progress
Young women face a “broken rung” on the ladder, leading to slower progression and more risk of being stuck in low-paid jobs.
What we need:
- Fair promotion processes and support for young women’s development.
- Action to prevent young women being disadvantaged due to age, gender, race, disability, having caring responsibilities or working part-time.
- Employers to recognise our potential as young women without making biased assumptions about our career ambitions
- Regular professional development reviews and clear career pathways so we know what we need to do to progress
Job security
Young women are more likely to be in insecure work and offered zero hours contracts. We often end up in unstable jobs without enough hours or predictable schedules. We know that most young women end up in insecure work because it is the only work available.
What we need:
- A limit on zero hours contracts, so they are only offered when the employee requests them
- Regular contracts for those who have been on zero hours for 12 weeks that reflects the hours they’ve really worked
- Minimum 4 weeks notice of our shifts
- Compensation for last minute shift cancellations.
Action against discrimination
Discrimination in the workplace disproportionately impacts young women. This increases for Black and minoritised young women. We want to see a more equitable workplace with opportunities for all young women and non binary people. Workplace discrimination not only impacts our career opportunities, but it can also harm our mental health and have life long consequences.
What we need:
- Stronger processes so we feel safe and confident reporting discrimination
- Better enforcement of laws against discrimination
- Zero tolerance workplace cultures
- Better pastoral support for young women who have experienced discrimination
- Employers actively listening to young women
