The Port of Cork Company's first gender pay gap report reveals an overall gender pay gap of 23%, which the company said is mainly due to an imbalance among its workforce.
The company has an 11% female employee rate as well as a predominance of men in senior management positions and therefore higher pay scales.
It said it was important to note that both men and women receive equal pay for equivalent positions throughout the Port of Cork Company, but the pay gap is due to a need for more female representation in the port's most senior roles.
Despite the reported percentages exceeding the published national average of 12%, the company said the figures are consistent with other male-dominated industries such as construction and insurance.
"This emphasises the broader challenges and the necessity to increase female representation at the highest levels in traditionally male-dominated industries," it added.
Sinead Healy, Human Resources Manager at the Port of Cork Company, said that reporting results voluntarily this year acknowledges where it is and publicly demonstrates its dedication to creating a transparent, inclusive, and supportive work environment.
"With 11% of our workforce being female, and nearly half of them occupying positions in the lower pay quartile, our gender pay gap naturally reflects an imbalance," she said.
"While our figures may appear higher compared to the national average, they align with other industries predominantly comprised of male personnel, such as finance, banking/insurance, and construction. Acknowledging this gap is key to reducing it and creating positive change," she added.
As part of EU Diversity Month, an initiative driven by the European Commission to shine a spotlight on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, Port of Cork Company is celebrating and highlighting the achievements of its female workers and its diversity and inclusion employees initiatives in recent years.
Last year it released its first D&I Policy Statement, outlining its commitment to nurturing an inclusive work environment where all employees feel welcome, respected, and valued.
Further highlighting the company's D&I success stories are Samantha O'Connor and Sarah O'Sullivan, who made history as the Port's first female operators in 2022/2023.
Sarah O'Sullivan joined PoCC three years ago as a Terminal Interchange Assistant (TIA) and was the first female on the operations team. Sarah is now a Cargo Handling Equipment Operator.
Samantha O'Connor joined shortly after Sarah and is the company's first female Straddle Carrier Driver.
