Determining the Gender Pay Gap: New Rules for Businesses
The UK has a female Prime Minister, the US very nearly had its first female president and the Metropolitan Police has employed its first ever female commissioner. There is no doubting that limitations on women in the workplace are definitely lessening.
However, although more opportunities appear to be available, there remain concerns that men and women are still not equal in the workplace, at least in relation to pay. In a bid to shed light on the pay differences, the government has approved new legislation which affects all employers with 250 or more employees on the snapshot day of 5th April 2017.
These employers will have to produce a detailed report showing the difference in pay between men and women. These complex calculations include percentage differences in hourly rates of pay, percentage differences in bonuses paid to men and women, and confirmation of the proportion of men and women who received a bonus. It must also show the employees split into four pay-band groups (from highest to lowest), detailing the percentage of men and women in each group.
Once complete the report should be publicly accessible from both the employer’s and a government website. An accompanying statement can also be included to explain any pay differences highlighted.
Although there are no fines for non-compliance, companies that don’t fulfil the requirements could be publicly named and shamed, adversely damaging the employer‘s reputation, or they could face legal action.
The requirements for this report are extremely complicated. There are particular rules as to who should and shouldn’t be included (e.g. shareholders and partners are not counted) and also how and where the results are displayed.
With this in mind, GA Solicitors has developed a helpful factsheet which outlines some of the key details of the obligations. Our experienced employment team can also provide detailed advice or prepare your organisation’s gender pay gap report for you, ensuring you comply with the new legislation.
If you would like a copy of the factsheet emailed to you click here.
If you require more details about the gender pay gap obligations or have any questions, please contact Rhiain Lewis (rhiain.lewis@GAsolicitors.com) or Rob Zacal (robert.zacal@GAsolicitors.com) or call 01752 203500 to speak to a member of the team.
 Rhiain Lewis, partner |
 Rob Zacal, employment solicitor |