Firms ‘must heed employment law relating to pay equality’

Posted 20/09/2009

Businesses have been reminded of their responsibility under employment law to ensure that their female employees are not facing pay discrimination.

Peta Fluendy, co-founder of Surrey human resources adviser Employment Law Clinic, has highlighted the fact that the government is looking to implement ways of naming and shaming firms found to be underpaying women workers.

She suggested that transparency over payment procedure will be the key to this and that regulations will be forthcoming in order to ensure fair salary calculation systems are in place.

The expert therefore advised large and small businesses alike to take steps to ensure that their policies hold up to legal scrutiny.

Ms Fluendy said: “It will be a good idea to think hard about pay scales and different roles – and get ready for pointed questions.”

This comes after a report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission earlier this month revealed that women in finance jobs are facing lower basic and starter salaries than male workers, as well as smaller bonuses.