Gender pay gap concern for 23% of salaried women in India: Survey

The latest survey conducted by Crisil and DBS Bank India sheds light on the nuanced perspectives of working women in India, particularly concerning gender-related issues and lifestyle choices. The findings reveal that 23% of salaried women perceive a gender-based pay gap, while 16% sense gender bias in the workplace. This survey launched the second of three reports from its comprehensive study entitled 'Women and Finance'.

For the majority of salaried women, the decision to accept a job is heavily influenced by considerations of salary and career advancement, constituting 69% of respondents. Whereas, 42% of self-employed women prioritise independence and flexible working hours over other factors. Only 3% of salaried women consider remote working essential. Wealth building and identifying market opportunities also rank high for self-employed women, in addition to their desire for independence and flexibility.

The survey, encompassing over 800 salaried and self-employed women in 10 Indian cities, reveals that semi-affluent women and affluent women have different perspectives on the gender pay gap. Affluent women, earning between ₹41 to 55 lakh annually, report a higher perception of the gender pay gap at 30%, compared to the 18% reported by semi-affluent women earning between ₹10 to 25 lakhs. A similar pattern emerges concerning gender bias in the workplace, with 30% of affluent women asserting its existence compared to 12% among their semi-affluent counterparts.

Negotiating salaries poses a challenge for 42% of salaried women in metros, though experiences vary between eastern and western parts of India. In Kolkata, 96% of salaried women don’t find a challenge in negotiating their pay, while only 33% in Ahmedabad share the same sentiment. Chennai stands at 77%, whereas Hyderabad lags behind at 41%.

Unmarried salaried women show a greater appreciation for mentorship and career development programs compared to their married counterparts, with 26% of unmarried women expressing gratitude compared to 16% of married women. The importance of such programs varies regionally, with 46% of Kolkata's salaried women considering them most valuable, exceeding the national average of 19%. In Delhi, 33% value childcare support, surpassing the national average of 11%, while 32% in Chennai prioritise extended maternity benefits.

The study underscores the necessity for family-friendly policies, especially in Pune, where 35% of salaried women consider sabbatical policies the most valuable, significantly higher than the national average of 5%.

The health-conscious trend among working women is evident, with 66% undergoing comprehensive health check-ups in the past year. Despite busy schedules, only 32% dine out or order food more than once a week, and 24% spend over four hours daily on non-office screen time.

The survey states that 32% of married women took 3-5 trips in the past year, double the rate of their unmarried counterparts. Nearly half of the surveyed women (47%) are generous spenders, allocating over 70% of their income. Notably, 39% of these women exhibit high credit card spends in discretionary categories like travel and shopping, surpassing the pan-India average of 33%.