The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published a new strategy setting out how gender, ethnicity and disability pay gaps should be tackled.
It calls on Government, businesses and society in general to take more action to help achieve pay equality for these groups.
The underlying principle of the strategy is the need for what the Commission describes as a ‘shake-up of culture and working practices’, which it believes is necessary to remove persistent pay gaps.
“We need new ideas to bring down pay gaps – it’s not just about more women at the top,” explained Caroline Waters, Deputy Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. “Yes, female representation is important but tackling pay gaps is far more complicated than that. While there has been some progress, it has been painfully slow. We need radical change now otherwise we’ll be having the same conversation for decades to come.”
“The pay gaps issue sits right at the heart of our society and is a symbol of the work we still need to do to achieve equality for all,” she added. “Subject choices and stereotypes in education send children of all genders, abilities, and racial backgrounds on set paths. These stereotypes are then reinforced throughout the workplace in recruitment, pay and progression. For this to change, we need to overhaul our culture and make flexible working the norm; looking beyond women as the primary caregivers and having tough conversations about the biases that are rife in our workforce and society.”
A key requirement of the Commission’s strategy is that all jobs should be advertised as available for flexible working. It says that this will remove many of the barriers faced by women and disabled people in accessing employment.
The strategy also sets out five other key recommendations for Government and employers, calling on them to:
The scale of the gender pay gap problem was recently highlighted in analysis conducted by the Guardian, which found that the pay gap across the whole of the Civil Service has only fallen by 2% since 2010, and in one out of four Government organisations the gap is actually growing.
This includes the Office for Budget Responsibility, where the gender pay gap rose by 31% from 2012 to reach 37% in 2017, and the attorney general’s office, where it grew by 18% to 41%.
For expert legal advice on discrimination at work, including pay equality, then contact our specialist employment lawyers today.
Our experts can help
Contact UsContact us for immediate confidential advice. Out of Hours and Weekend help available
It would not be an exaggeration to say that I was extremely pessimistic about being able to get a decent redundancy settlement. I was feeling really low and depressed. That all changed when Caroline Walker agreed to act for me.She secured an excellent settlement for me, without me having to face the expense and stress of going to court...
- Martine Roberts"I cannot recommend you highly enough. A law firm that really delivers all it promises. I never thought I would say that I found the costs reasonable, but I did, and I will never get over how much you secured for me in a totally unexpected settlement. It has set me up for the next chapter in my life. Thank you, thank you."
- J. Brown"I would like to thank you for your exceptional service. You and your firm Cavendish Employment Law have been brilliant in your responsiveness and legal advice. We have had numerous time sensitive and complex issues. You always delivered for our company in spite of very challenging timelines. I highly recommend you and your firm."
- John McVeighIt would not be an exaggeration to say that I was extremely pessimistic about being able to get a decent redundancy settlement. I was feeling really low and depressed. That all changed when Caroline Walker agreed to act for me.She secured an excellent settlement for me, without me having to face the expense and stress of going to court...
- Martine Roberts"I cannot recommend Caroline more highly. Any client of hers is really fortunate to have her on their side. She is a credit to her profession and I am most grateful to her."
- Jake Brown