Reuters · 17 Sep, 23:05 · Business briefing

UK female workers still get lower bonuses than males, data firm says

Recent data indicates that female workers in the United Kingdom continue to receive significantly lower bonuses compared to their male counterparts.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Recent data indicates that female workers in the United Kingdom continue to receive significantly lower bonuses compared to their male counterparts. This persistent disparity highlights ongoing structural inequalities within corporate reward systems, despite broader progress in base pay equality. The findings suggest that performance-based compensation remains a key area where gender bias persists, affecting overall earnings potential and career progression for women across various sectors. Professionals should note this trend as it reflects deeper organisational challenges regarding equitable remuneration and transparent evaluation criteria.

Employer demand for Human Resources skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This data signals that meritocratic ideals often mask systemic bias in reward structures. You must prioritise skills in data literacy and advocacy to navigate this landscape. Understanding how bonuses are calculated allows you to negotiate effectively and challenge opaque criteria. Focus on developing strong negotiation tactics and evidence-based performance tracking. If you are in a leadership role, audit your team’s compensation practices for hidden biases. For individual contributors, document every achievement meticulously. This evidence is crucial when discussing remuneration. Do not assume fairness; verify it. Upskill in compliance and governance to understand legal frameworks surrounding equal pay. By mastering these areas, you protect your earnings and drive cultural change. Your career growth depends on your ability to quantify value and demand equitable treatment in high-stakes financial discussions.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Human Resources, Data Science, Compliance And Governance and Business And Management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

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