Dundee University has reaffirmed its commitment to the Living Wage after it emerged 46 employees were paid below the rate, regarded as the minimum necessary for workers to meet their basic needs.
The institution is not an accredited Living Wage employer but said the figure, which is calculated to include the costs of food, housing and other essentials such as clothing, is already being met in salaries paid to the “vast majority” of staff.
It comes after a member of the public requested details under Freedom of Information legislation of how many individuals directly employed by the university are being paid less than the current minimum of £9 per hour.
The Dundee resident said they asked for the figure after becoming concerned about “under representation and the pay gap within the university”.
Bosses were unable to provide details on the new £9 rate, as this was only announced in November 2018 and applied from May 2019.
But they confirmed that in July last year, when a rate of £8.75 was applicable, 46 people had been paid less than the Living Wage, 22 of whom were women. The response also confirmed just five of the 27 staff members earning over £140,000 a year are women.
The Courier reported earlier this year that men were being paid on average 20.4% more due to a disparity in the number of women in top jobs at the university.
UCU Scotland described the small number of female professors and women in the most senior roles in Scottish higher education as “deeply disappointing” and said it “only serves to entrench the gender pay gap”.
A spokesperson said: “Considering the number of women working in our universities, it is scandalous that so few occupy the top positions and universities will continue to miss out on these talents unless they take serious steps to address the issue.
“Employers need to more quickly tackle the barriers that can prevent women from progressing, such as long hours and the overly-competitive research environments, and take positive measures to support women’s career progression.”
Dundee University describes equality, diversity and inclusion as “integral to our mission” and has pledged to “break down barriers that prevent individuals reaching their full potential wherever they exist”.
A spokesman said: “The University is committed to paying the Living Wage, although we are not an accredited Living Wage employer.
“This covers the vast majority of staff we employ, which is over 3,200 people. The University’s pay structure is updated every year to reflect the Living Wage.”
He added that there are “a very small number of exceptions, which includes some apprenticeships and temporary positions”.
