Bad News and Irrelevant News

This is why I never want to work for the BBC. (Never again, I mean. I did and left.) They completed interesting research on Britain’s gender pay gap (widening) but released it with a headline saying: ‘Women are earning more than men in some public sector organisations - but only in the lower-paid grades, according to new research by the BBC.’
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8044720.stm

Firstly, it’s dull. I know my blog headlines aren’t great but I don’t care if anybody reads, I'm just tapping away in my bedroom for the relaxation. The BBC is meant to speak to the masses.

Secondly, it’s irrelevant. This headline reminded me of that fantastic episode of ‘The Office’ (British version) where Ricky Gervais’ character, David Brent finds out he has been promoted but half his staff are being laid off. He tells them he has good news and bad news and then fills them in, but one replies "that wasn't good news and bad news, just bad news and irrelevant news", or something to that effect. You probably had to be there.

Anyway, this headline is irrelevant news. To start with, a low pay-grade public sector job is hardly something to get excited about – no offence to those noble women and men who take pride in holding such a position. Good for you. You are better people than I. But really, it’s not ‘problem solved’? I’m guessing men can’t stand lower paid public sector jobs and it’s because long suffering women hang in there that they end up earning more.

The real story from this research was that when part time workers are taken into account, men earn on average 23% more than women doing the equivalent job. Another depressing statistic but how boring life would be without challenges and this is a good one.