It is easy to confuse the gender pay gap with direct gender discrimination. However, direct gender discrimination, or paying men and women differently for performing the same work, has been unlawful since 1970.
A gender pay gap can occur when either people of a particular gender tend not to progress beyond certain levels within a firm. This can be identified from the seniority structure within an organisation.
Large employers, with over 250 employees, are now legally required to publish gender pay gap data on their websites, which is also available for the public on the government website.
Statistics show that 77% of organisations in 2017/18 had a gender pay in favour of men. Figures currently being collected show little improvement has been made in narrowing the pay disparity.
On average, women are paid almost 20% less per hour than men, and from current statistics it is estimated that gender pay gap will not be closed until 2032.
If you are an employer with questions about your obligations to publish this data or feel you have been discriminated against at work because of your gender, then contact us today at Audley Chaucer.
Written by Syeda Anjum
