Pay discrimination ‘leading to more compensation claims’

Posted 30/10/2009

Women are increasingly turning to compensation claims because of the discrimination they are facing in terms of their salary, according to a new report.

Research conducted by the Fawcett Society has revealed that female workers in the UK are being paid 21.2 per cent less on average than their male colleagues.

This discrepancy is even more pronounced in certain areas, with men in Essex being paid 26.8 per cent more on average than women.

According to Ceri Goddard, chief executive of the women’s rights group, this has led to one in three compensation claims for employment discrimination being linked to unequal pay.

Ms Goddard called for employment law changes to increase transparency over salary policies in business in order to prevent pay discrimination from occurring.

She said: “Women were promised equal pay nearly 40 years ago when the Equal Pay Act was passed.

“It’s time to finally make good on that pledge.”

This comes after research conducted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission last month revealed that women in finance jobs are receiving bonuses which are around 80 per cent lower than those awarded to men.