RNLI releases latest gender pay gap figures

The gender pay gap at the RNLI is -3.1%, based on an average hourly rate (the mean average) for men and women employed by the charity in Great Britain.

This means, on average, women at the RNLI are paid 3.1% more than men. This equates to 51 pence more per hour.

The gender pay gap does not show differences in pay for comparable roles at specific grades. Instead, it is used as a broad measure of earnings across a whole organisation. The UK’s average gender pay gap is 17.9%, as reported by the Office for National Statistics for 2018.

Sue Barnes, People Director at the RNLI, said: ‘We are absolutely committed to demonstrating equality for all our employees in recruitment, promotion, development opportunities and pay. At the RNLI, we value the many benefits diversity brings to our organisation.

‘We actively promote awareness on inclusion and diversity for our staff and volunteers to enhance their awareness and make practical changes to help create an inclusive and supportive environment at the RNLI.

‘We have a formal process of grading jobs at the RNLI to ensure rigorous decisions are made on job grades and rates of pay. Gender pay gap data is reviewed by our Remuneration Committee and actions to address gender pay gaps form part of our annual pay review cycle.

‘The change in our pay gap in 2018 compared to 2017 – when the RNLI had a gender pay gap of 0.7% – is largely due to the differing employed population in comparison to the previous year’s report, as our seasonal lifeguards were employed and on service on the reporting date of 5 April 2018, as Easter fell earlier last year compared to 2017.

‘As we continue to monitor our gender pay gap levels, our data shows that our mean gender pay gap is returning closer to the 2017 reported level, with our figures from September 2018 – when employment for most seasonal lifeguards ends – showing a gender pay gap of 0.7%.’

Any organisation in Great Britain that has 250 or more employees must publish and report specific figures about their gender pay gap. The deadline for businesses and charities to publish their figures is 4 April each year.

The RNLI’s full report can be viewed here: RNLI.org/GenderPayGap

As required by the national regulations, the RNLI’s report provides:

• The mean and median gender pay gap figures
• The mean and median gender pay gaps for bonuses
• The proportion of men and women who received a bonus
• The proportion of men and women in each pay quartile

On 5 April 2018, the RNLI had 2,257 employees based in Great Britain, with 68% being male and 32% female. The RNLI’s executive team currently consists of 10 members of staff – six men and four women.

The regulations require the gender pay gap figures to be published for Great Britain only. When staff from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland are included, the RNLI’s mean gender pay gap figure is -2.9%.

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Luke Blissett, RNLI National Media Manager, on 01202 336497/ [email protected]. Alternatively, call the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or email [email protected].

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.