Sick leave figures show the difference between men and women working in the public sector is just 1.6 days, including those in the Western Bay of Plenty.

The figures were determined in a State Services Commission Human Resources Capability Study and show that on average in 2010, men took 6.8 days sick and domestic leave, while women took 8.4 days.

PSA National Secretary Brenda Pilott says given the majority of responsibility for children and other family members falls on women, she's surprised there isn't a larger difference in the amount of days taken.

'Research from the recent survey shows women are working long hours and gifting millions of dollars worth of extra work each year,” says Brenda.

'Despite a proud history on advancing women's rights, a huge gender pay gap rise remains in the New Zealand workplace and in some agencies is increasing.”

Brenda believes the situation is exacerbated by the lack of transparency around pay.

'Before the Department of Labour's Pay and Employment Equity Unit was dissolved in 2009, it found gender pay gaps in all but one public service department.

'In all other departments, pay gaps between men and women doing similar jobs ranged from 3-35 percent,” says Brenda.

She says unions and employers need to work together to turn this around.

'Despite a growing need for flexible working arrangements, the PSA women's survey found that fears about job security and not wanting to burden co-workers are key reasons why flexible working arrangements are not taken up more.”