According to recent research data, between June 2021 and June 2022 the number of employees receiving a bonus increased to 25.9%, up from 22% previously.

Cendex, part of XpertHR,  carried out the survey and the data covered 403 organisations, which collectively paid bonuses to 356,563 employees. It showed that whilst the average bonus awarded across all individuals was £2,519, women are not only less likely than men to be awarded a bonus but also receive less money than their male counterparts when they do.

Almost one in three (31.3%) male employees received a bonus in the year to June 2022, compared with just 23.7% of females. Additionally, men received an average of £2,907, compared to £1,761 - which was the average bonus awarded to female employees.

This inequality was also shown to widen with age, as bonus payments for women tailed off as they hit their early thirties, whereas this did not happen with men until they reached their early fifties. At this point, they received an average bonus of £4,929.23 - which is over double the amount received by women of the same age, who received an average of £2,416.46.

What was not as surprising - the research found - is that the value and the likelihood of actually receiving a bonus increased with job seniority.  Over 38% of Directors received an average payout of £61,006, compared to just over 25% of staff, whose average payment was just £1,282.

Sheila Attwood, Managing Editor, Pay and Benefits, Cendex, said:

“Given the current cost-of-living crisis and wider economic uncertainty, money is a huge source of stress for many workers. If an organisation is in the position to award a bonus to employees, it’s vital that they approach it fairly and with a strong understanding of why a bonus is being awarded at a given level. This is especially important given the disparity between men and women’s bonuses, which could be an indication of certain work being valued more than others.”