Published: 20/11/2024
Today, on Equal Pay Day, we’re proud that here at Suma there is no gender pay gap.
Equal Pay Day marks the time in the year when, based on gender pay gap reporting, women in the UK stop being paid compared to men. It is two days earlier than last year, meaning that despite years of slow progress to close the gap, this year it has widened. In fact, it’s the first time the gender pay gap has widened since 2013 according to The Fawcett Society.
So in effect, this means that women are working for free for the rest of the year based on average earnings when compared to men.
At Suma, though, it’s different. As an equal pay worker co-op, we’re built on the belief that fairness should be at the heart of business. So every worker here earns the same hourly rate, regardless of gender, role or length of service. Our gender pay gap is 0%, always has been.
While many organisations are grappling with how to address gender pay disparities, Suma stands as proof that a fairer system isn’t just a dream—it’s achievable and sustainable. For over 40 years, our worker co-operative model has shown that businesses can succeed without compromising on equality, ethics, or inclusivity.
This year, we’re also thrilled to share that Suma has been celebrated internationally as a leading example of what’s being called Hopepunk Entrepreneurship. A study featuring Suma as a case study won the prestigious ISBE and International Small Business Journal Best Paper Award for Pushing the Boundaries of Research at the 2024 Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) conference.
The research, led by Dr Catherine Brentnall (Manchester Metropolitan University) and Serxia Lage-Arias (Vrije University, Amsterdam), explored how co-operative principles like those at Suma embody hopepunk—a concept rooted in working towards a kinder, fairer world, even in challenging times.
Ross Hodgson, Suma’s Company Secretary, said:
“We are delighted to be recognised as an example of hopepunk in action. At Suma, equal pay is more than policy—it’s a core value that reflects how we think businesses should operate. This award reinforces that creating a better, more equal world isn’t just a utopian vision; it’s something co-ops like Suma are already doing every day.”
The study also highlighted that Suma’s enduring success demonstrates how co-operative models can thrive in competitive markets without sacrificing their values. For aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders, Suma’s story offers an alternative to traditional capitalist systems.
As we mark Equal Pay Day, we invite others to imagine — and build — a future where pay gaps are history. Equality isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s good for people, communities, and the planet.