OPM has issued a second set of guidance on gender pay equity in the federal government in the wake of a 2014 study finding some differences in average salaries between men and women that could not be explained by other factors such as a general concentration of males at higher levels and in higher-paying occupations. The latest guidance tells agencies that they are not to put excessive stress on existing salary when using flexibilities to set starting salaries of newly hired employees. It also recommended, although it didn’t require, agencies to analyze their workforces to look for areas of disparity in pay by gender, determine if there are identifiable reasons for such differences, develop strategies to address them, and measure the results over time. OPM also noted other steps it has taken, including initiatives to increase the representation of women at senior levels and in science, technology, engineering and math-oriented positions.