Discrimination, Segregation and Firm Effects: Some UK Microevidence

In samples of employees from two firms, women are segregated in low-pay occupations and therefore receive lower returns on their (similar:) educational qualifications than men. In the primary-sector, capital-intensive, unionized firm, all wages are much higher. In the secondary-sector firm, rewarding qualifications and experience at the rates found in the primary firm would increase earnings (including fringe benefits) by about 80%, much more than the usual firm-size or industry differential.