Despite decades of activism for workplace equality, workers still experience inequality at work.

International Parity at Work Day aims to raise awareness about this ongoing issue as employers and governments try to level the playing field and bring about social change and fairness at work.

Human history has uncovered the roots of inequality in pay. The obvious problem is that women are often considered less in many cultures. However, these problems can also be linked to discrimination based on race, religion, skin colour, or abilities. Inequality in pay has been and continues be a major problem in most societies, even today.

There has been some progress in certain areas, countries, and workplaces. For example, the US and UK have seen the gender pay gap shrink over the years. Despite this, there are still issues and a need for equal pay. International Parity at Work Day was established to raise awareness and find solutions.

The mid-20th century saw the rise of gender pay, particularly in Western countries. This was mainly due to initiatives passed by the US Congress and the International Labor Organization. However, very little progress was made towards parity at work in the 1990s, especially in the United States.

The National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE), in the USA, started Equal Pay Day in 1996 to provide a platform for this day. This day was created to raise awareness about the fact that women still have to work for no pay to be eligible to receive equal pay. Equal Pay Day falls either in April or March.

Despite efforts to raise awareness such as Equal Pay Day and other initiatives, the disparity between pay and work continued well into the 21st century. This led to the creation of the International Parity at Work Day. International Parity at Work Day was first celebrated in 2017. It has been observed in many countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Australia and Sri Lanka.

The UK’s first celebration of International Parity at Work Day took place in London. It brought together people from diverse backgrounds through performances, Q&A discussions, and the sharing of educational resources regarding equality and pay discrimination. The event was hosted by Aon UK and featured inspiring conversations like how Harry Specters Chocolates helped autistic people find employment.

Many doctors gathered to discuss the discrimination faced by women who want to enter medical school in Japan during the first year of the celebration. Unofficially, a limit of 30% was set for female students in medical schools. Senior doctors lobbied universities to give women equal access to medicine in an effort to increase parity.

International Parity at Work Day, which is now celebrated every year, is hoped to continue growing in scope and effectiveness. Employers are challenged to create a fair and just workplace for all people, regardless of their origin, race, gender, or religion.

Are you looking for ways to take part in International Parity at Work Day (IPW)? These are some ways you can bring International Parity at Work Day to your workplace and community.

People who are concerned about equality at work may consider International Parity at Work Day. This is a way to raise awareness of local issues. The Paycheck Fairness Act, which was passed by Congress in the United States in 2021, protected workers from being penalized for sharing information about their earnings. Employees can now do their own research to compare and raise questions about pay equity in their space.

You might want to reach out to Human Resources at work to ask about workplace parity policies. You might ask them to conduct an audit of the company to see if they are making progress in this area.

International Parity at Work Day is a great opportunity to sign or create a petition in your area to help bring about legislative changes related to pay gaps. Get involved and make a difference!